Pre-Moderation of New Threads: Due to a significant history of promotional posts and unproductive "DMOZ issue" posts (see below) all new threads in this forum are automatically placed on hold, which means the new thread will not be viewable by the public until approved by a moderator or administrator. Please be patient as all moderators are volunteers and have day jobs and families. We'll get to your post soon.
Posting Directory Names With rare exception for a handful of longstanding and globally recognized brands please don't "name names" or even post hints. Why? On one side it opens the door to promotional spamming, such as "What do you think about advertising in BrandX?" On the other side criticism of specific directories opens up the possibility of flame wars, attacks, pseudo-attacks with promotional counter-posts, etc. So, please: Do not "name names". We can analyze most design, functional and operational issues and business practices without saying who is doing it.
Thread Titles Effective thread titles produce results = More Members Helping. Spend time creating your Subject and Meta Description. Effective subject lines and metas 1) Clearly define an issue by incorporating essential facts; and, 2) Include a request for specific assistance. Thread titles are subject to editing by the moderator, for reasons including improving clarity or to bring the thread's focus into conformity with this Charter and the Directory Forum's educational mission.
Software and service providers: Please don't post seeking "votes" whether a specific product or service is good or bad, as that often leads to forum spamming or even competitor flamming. Instead, discussions about software or service providers should address general decision making and selecton criteria for the product class. For example: Instead of posting "What do you think about X's directory building software?" please ask "What should I look for when choosing software to build a directory?" Posts that imbed "hints" to identify a product are as bad as a direct violation of this rule.
If you are perturbed or dissatisfied or have other issues with a company, its products or services please file your grievance with the Better Business Bureau or the government. Posts that consist of or contain complaints, whining, whinging, pejorative remarks (sucks, stupid, ridiculous, etc) or allegations of past wrongs or wrongdoing are subject to editing and/or deletion. We are an educational forum, not place for people to air their grievances, vent their frustrations, posture or get payback. To put it in simple terms, the argument/proposition that "there is educational value in public posting of consumer complaints" is rejected in this space, for a variety of reasons. If alerting the public is your mission then, in the vast majority of cases, you will do better to post your warning or grievance elsewhere.
Comments disparaging the directory business model: Posts consisting of nothing more than generalized disparaging comments about the directory model or directory business will likely be edited or removed. Don't just declare "directories suck". Tell us exactly why they suck . . so we might improve upon the directory user experience or the directory model.
Open Directory Project (ODP, DMOZ): Although some WebmasterWorld members are ODP editors their comments, as members, may not be binding on, nor authoritative for, the ODP. In most cases questions and complaints relating to ODP policy and procedures should be submitted directly to the ODP, through ODP designated channels, for an official response. Issues that are best resolved within the ODP system will either not leave pre-moderation status or may be removed from active threads.
Examples of issues, questions and complaints best addressed directly to the ODP include:
