DMOZ editors are supposed to be professionals in the category
that they choose to edit and review. They are also supposed to
have high standards when it comes to giving the general public
quality websites with content that pertains to the category in
which they are editing. But, is this really the case or does the
absolute power given by DMOZ corrupt these editors into making
decisions based on just what they like or as favors to the
owners of the websites they are reviewing?
When you submit your website to the DMOZ directory it is then
handed off to an editor to review your website, all of your
website pages and to intelligently write the description of your
site. Whether your website is included is in their hands, they
have the power to include, delete, and even ignore your
submission. How the power that DMOZ gives influences their
overall behavior is another subject. You will find that the
thought of having absolute power does affect each editor and
reviewer in various ways.
If the editor is honest and upholds the standards that are set
by DMOZ then power has not gone to their head and they
understand that working as a team member to create the largest
directory with quality websites is the main goal then your
website will reviewed on its own merit. This is the type of
editor you hope will review your website. Your website will have
a much better chance of being included and at a much faster
rate.
But, remember, the editors and reviewers at DMOZ are also human.
No matter where you go you will find people that are not honest
in their dealings. DMOZ gives them power and many do not know
how to handle this responsibility in a business like manner and
have unscrupulous behavior, as with any group. When one of these
editors, reviews a website, it may not be gone over with the
DMOZ standards in mind. The ?God Syndrome? as I like to call it
takes over, and they will make their decision from their own
standards and ignore quality websites.
This is kind of like putting a child in a room full of chocolate
and asking him to only choose the best ones out of the bunch and
leave the others alone. In his mind, all chocolate is good, no
matter the size, the manufacturer, or the ingredients. He will
of course not pay much attention to what he is really choosing
and will probably choose the flashy and colorful packaging. As a
DMOZ editor looks over a website, do they really look for
quality content that is useful or do they just say ?This one
looks fine? and goes no farther than the front page. I believe
this does happen quite often as many of the websites in DMOZ
only have one page and no other content. As an example, you can
check out under Home, Cooking, under Chili and you will see what
I mean. Many of these only have one webpage, only one to three
recipes and several advertisements. Is this really considered a
quality website with original, unique and valuable informational
content that contributes something unique to the category's
subject?
I am not saying that every editor at DMOZ lets this absolute
power cloud their judgment, but we are talking about human
nature and it takes all kinds of people to create a large
directory such as DMOZ, good and bad. The quality editors will
do their best to include websites with high standards and will
only be out to benefit the directory as a whole. But, you will
also find editors that are out to make a name for themselves,
get something in return for including websites or just don?t
really care who or what they include.
So, does absolute power corrupt absolutely? I would have to say,
yes, in certain individuals that do not have the integrity it
takes to be a team player, only consider themselves or their own
group of acquaintances, clients, or affiliates, and love the
feel of absolute power over others. If world leaders can be
corrupt when given power then you must agree that an editor of
DMOZ can also be corrupted, absolutely
About the author:
If you want to take the guesswork out of directory submission
try the list of free directories at the author's site at
www.info-sales.co.uk
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