Over the history of the project, DMOZ has had more than 70,000 volunteer editors worldwide. On average, there are approximately 6,000 active editor accounts at any given time.
What's impressive (at least to me) is that we do this out of a pure sense of giving back to the Internet Community. Editors take the time to organize and create useful resources in categories and topics that are of interest to us, not for money (side bar: looking forward to typically useless comments on that item) but for the sheer enjoyment of gathering quality information to help people find what they need-faster.
On average, DMOZ accepts 78 new editors per week, which is great. At the same time, we're interested in adding more. Specifically, we are interested in hearing from people who can continue to improve the data we provide for all of our users around the world.
So, while you're here, is there a topic that you're passionate about? Do you know of, or can you find, three sites that are perfect for that topic that aren't already listed? Would you like to be seen as a category expert and contribute to a global volunteer community that is relied upon by millions of searchers and many of the leading search engines on the planet? Then, we invite you to volunteer. : )
While you're here, type a query into the search box at the top of the page (make sure you click on the DMOZ.org tab before you click Search) and see if we have a category that interests you. If so, follow the steps mentioned at the bottom of that page and apply.
More information about becoming an editor is available at:
http://www.dmoz.org/help/become.html
and
http://www.dmoz.org/cgi-bin/apply.cgi
We look forward to hearing from you.
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21. I have no desire to be an editor now. (I was an editor for several years). But I must ask: why does ODP turn down ANY applications to be an editor?
Both when I was an editor and now it seemed obvious that the biggest problem with ODP was lack of volunteers. Not enough people. It never occured to me that you actually rejected people. I understand rejecting people who are obviously just looking to put in their site or have truly horrible applications, but that can't be more than 10% of the applicants.
I suggested one time on an industry forum that ODP probably accepted 90% of applicants. I had no inside knowledge, but that seemed reasonable. Quickly insiders corrected that and said the number was more like 20% to 30%. What?
Consider another volunteer organization: Habitat for Humanity. What they do is harder than producing a directory. Building a house requires specific skills. Yet they accept most of their applicants. They find something for them to do.
I have to believe the negativity toward ODP these days is due to the exclusitivity attitude. And I firmly believe that ODP would produce a much, much better directory with more volunteers. Stop turning so many people down.
Posted at 7:03PM on Oct 26th 2007 by Vijay
22. Removal procedure fails to mention that removed editor isn't given reason why removal took place as matter a fact such information is meta privilege only and revealing is violation of communication guidelines!
This makes appeal a joke, how can you make appeal if you have no idea what have you done wrong? And even if you send one nobody bothers to reply, DMOZ really cares about its editors...
Posted at 8:28PM on Oct 26th 2007 by Ivan Bajlo
23. well sorry but what a big laugh this is.
Its even insulting.
If you dont know it already ,dmoz is most hated directory outhere.
I even tried to be an editor,never heard of it anymore.
Ever read all the negative stuff ?
As far as i see it ,dmoz is managed by a bunch of grandpa's playing god over a corrupt directory.
Posted at 9:04PM on Oct 26th 2007 by johnw
24. @ JohnW - "Most hated" is certainly your opinion and appreciate that you took the time to stop by and share it.
At the same time, if you asked the partners and sites that rely on our data ( 4000 )...I know that they appreciate how selective we are in both editor acceptance and site submission.
Snap.com being just one of them:
http://www.metamend.com/snap-search-engine.html
"Ever read all the negative stuff ?"
Would encourage you not to believe everything you read on the Internet. You'll end up in the basement wearing a tin foil hat and cashing checks for lotteries in fictional countries.
DMOZ is growing and this an exciting time to be involved. For those editors that have left ( in one way or another ) - sorry that you are missing out on the progress and wish you all best of luck.
Posted at 10:33PM on Oct 26th 2007 by bbqgrant
25. I'm still waiting to be involved both as an entry in the directory (5 years) and as a reinstated editor (over a month).
Posted at 5:15PM on Oct 27th 2007 by Ian
26. I think part of the reason people don't like DMOZ is because of the snide or sarcastic remarks made by the editors. I could email Starbucks or Google, bitch a blue streak and I'd be met with nothing but cool professionalism.
They would never imply that I'm so stupid that I'll end up in the basement wearing a tinfoil hat...
I know the editors are volunteers, not employees, but does that give them the right to be snide?
Maybe it does, but it doesn't help the directory.
Posted at 6:10PM on Oct 27th 2007 by marc
27. @ marc - appreciate your feedback.
I was simply seeking to counter the fact that 95% of the negative things you read about DMOZ online are false.
Much like urban legends, phony check schemes online and extortion claims from Shoemoney.com
But, perhaps you're right. Perhaps my "advice" came across wrong.
Appreciate you commenting on our blog and the feedback you are sharing with us.
BBQGrant
Posted at 9:23PM on Oct 27th 2007 by bbqgrant
28. The single most important topic to address is providing transparency to the community.
+ What is the status of a submission?!
If this is solved than people will have an insight into why things are taking so long, if a site has been rejected and why and so on.
I really do hope for the sake of DMOZ that these things are solved soon as it has taken nearly too long to bring this to attention.
Posted at 5:20AM on Oct 30th 2007 by Markus Hübner
29. I submitted my web-site for inclusion in the ODP about 2 years ago. I did receive a reply that my submission had been accepted but have heard nothing since.
Since then my site is listed #1 on Google and usually above #20 on the other search engines.
At this point I am not sure of the relavence of ODP, since searches most often done using Google.
Pete
Posted at 9:15AM on Oct 30th 2007 by Pete
30. Is there any chance of the ODP removing the requirement for would be editors to have both a "First Name" and a "Last Name" in order to complete the application form? It would be logical were those like myself with only one name to use that name for both entries, but this would probably lead to me being incorrectly addressed. (I used to be an editor back in Newhoo days, prior to this restriction coming into force.)
Posted at 5:21PM on Oct 30th 2007 by Weed
31. @Weed: I believe that only the free text in your "preferred name" is ever shown on your profile and to other editors, with the text in the other name two boxes only being available to meta editors. So while you may have to be creative in filling in the form (presumably it doesn't allow a blank surname), I don't think it will be that much of a problem for general internal use. (And most people just use the editorname internally anyway.)
BTW: It's forbidden to have more than one editor account, so if you've ever been an editor before, you need to apply for reinstatement rather than completing a new application form.
Posted at 6:43AM on Oct 31st 2007 by chaos127
32. Six weeks for a reply back on my editor reinstatement request. 5+ years waiting to get in the directory.
And counting.
Posted at 11:57PM on Nov 11th 2007 by Ian
33. Hi
This is a positive Blog I think, as I was also beginning to believe all the hype as so many of you have been so quiet for so long. DMOZ now seems to be taking on a transparent slant and that's appealing in this day and age.
Moreover, I hoped you could set some (many I'm sure) of us straight in relation to when we should re submit after 'X' amount of time passes and our site has not been listed?!
I am aware that that it can be difficult re work load while working on a volunteer basis so that wasn't a sarcastic comment in the previous paragraph. I have read both conflicting statements from others who state that you should resubmit after 3 months and I have also read that you should never submit twice. Is there a 'rule of thumb' re this matter?
Thanks for going to the trouble of creating and maintaining this blog by the way!
Ray
Posted at 2:49AM on Nov 12th 2007 by Ray
34. @Ray: You might like to try looking at http://www.resource-zone.com/forum/faq.php?faq=odp
Posted at 5:43PM on Nov 18th 2007 by chaos127
35. I just care about the information about the cars, Music and the video games. These are the things that i love to talk abou. In games i like PSP Games and football.
Posted at 12:46AM on Nov 19th 2007 by devilsmaster
36. Seven weeks for a reply back on my editor reinstatement request. 5+ years waiting to get in the directory.
And counting.
Posted at 3:49PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Ian
37. Eight weeks for a reply back on my editor reinstatement request. 5+ years waiting to get in the directory.
And counting.
Posted at 12:42PM on Nov 26th 2007 by Ian
38. DMOZ, I love You This Site I would Like To propose my site to you. If you accept i will let you link my site to yours(over 9 million and counting people has visited my site). You can help me make my site nation wide.
Posted at 8:54PM on Dec 11th 2007 by Diamond