ODP: Public Abuse Report System

Below the latest press release from ODP.

"The ODP is committed to providing the best quality directory possible. Unfortunately, a small number of editors/ webmasters are more committed to their self-interest than the ODP. The actions of the few threaten the directory's quality and integrity, adversely affecting the user experience.

This system will therefore enable users of the ODP to report suspicions of abusive editors/conduct to DMOZ Meta Editors and Staff. All reports will be investigated expeditiously and in complete confidence. If abuse is found we will rectify it. Users will be able to submit reports anonymously should they choose, whereas we encourage them to supply an e-mail address, which will be used in case further information will be needed in order to successfully complete the abuse investigation.

For more information about the system, please consult the FAQ. The Abuse Report System interface is currently available in English, German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Swedish, and Italian. We are working to make the system as multilingual as possible, and we will add more language interfaces as details are finalized and bugs removed.

We will greatly appreciate coverage of this information if you think it will be useful to your readers, and welcome your questions in the ODP Public Forum (http://www.resource-zone.com)."

This should perhaps help to clean the directory up and is welcome. I just hope it isnt open to abuse from competitors blowing whistles with frivilous claims etc. I'm sure the ODP people are fully aware of this likelyhood however.

I am suspicious of just how deep the abuse goes at DMOZ. I wonder how much a listing costs.

I reported Ebates as a violation of their no affiliate policy. Ebates only purpose for existance is to make affiliate dollars. They sent a reply almost immediately to say the problem had been resolved. that was 3 weeks ago. I just did a search for ebates and they are still listed in DMOZ.

I only reported them because they prey on other affiliates and steal their money.

Again, How much does a listing with DMOZ cost?

free...

crock of ****e, odp are like the american and british gov, if we like what we hear we will publish it, if we dont or it goes against what we think we wont,
Anybody tell me how to correct a wrong listing.


Ps They wont tell you how to do it easily.
or am I being paranoid. ............not

odp are turning into a bunch of people who have taken over there respective directories and are probably paid to return results.
Prove me wrong!!!!!!! PLEASE

[editited: certain word '*'ed]
ps sorry about the rant.

The best way (maybe the only way) for you to understand that the work truly is done by unpaid volunteers is to read the ODP guidelines and apply to be an editor. We sure could use the help and then you could see for yourself.

I make no money from my website or ODP, is a lack of greed in some people really so hard for you to understand?

Ok apost, Im very sorry, I am sure that there are editors that are unbiased and have intergrety but you would also have to agree that getting in to the odp is a very difficult task to perform.
I personally would like to know what if any credentials the person reviewing my site has, (ive looked at becoming an editor myself and it aint that hard to pass the test) Im sure many of them have excellent credentials but im also sure that many of them are abusing their positions for financial gain.
Getting listed in odp has become a vital part of seo and getting good ranking, yet to get listed you have to suffer at least 3 to 4 server timeouts before you can even find the correct catergory. Due to the fact that odp is so important I feel that more should be done to maintain an unbiased approach to getting listed.
I have been waiting for over 8 months to get a listing for a site that has won awards but the editor of that catergory obviously doesnt like the colour scheme so out it goes.

Again apologies for previous rant I was out of order, sorry. ops:

Apology accepted I know I'm too touchy about ODP criticism, but I spend so much time on it almost everyday, then take a break and go see what's up in my favorite forums, where I get slammed. Breaks my heart

I do understand your frustration, I can't speak for all editors, but I believe many share your frustration. We don't like getting server timeouts while trying to edit, which was happening regularly, but we all have to be patient. Upgrades are happening and it will improve. Editing has already improved, most days I can edit all day with no server timeouts.

We all know that ODP is important, but it's there to serve the internet community. Most editors do it to give something back and make the internet a better place. If I personally were reviewing your site, my only credentials would be honesty and a deep belief in the good of the ODP. Most likely I wouldn't know much about your business but I would read every page of your site and make sure your description was accurate and that you were placed in the correct category, to the best of my ability.

I freely admit that the best of my ability would fall far short of the best that you could do in your own area. That's why we need more active editors. I agree that "more should be done to maintain an unbiased approach to getting listed" that's where volunteer editors (like yourself, potentially) come in. We do our best, but we are only human.

I don't want to judge you but since you said you considered it, don't you think it would take less of your time to go ahead and make the commitment to help the directory? Eight months is a long time to wait, add to that the time you spend worrying about it, checking up on it and talking about how bad the ODP is... do you get the point? There's a quicker, easier way... come help us, it feels good.

Anne

Yeah I get the point, but then us brits are never happy unless we can moan about something!
I will think some more about it.