steve40 - 2:51 pm on Dec 30, 2004 (gmt 0)

Don't forget that the advantages for a user using a directory is to find an organised list for the information they are looking for AND to try to provide as much of this above the fold

Don't provide only listings that have been payed for to be displayed JOE SURFER can find those in serps results on all SE's

Directories have a future on the internet.
Search Engines as much as they try can only act on heavy SEO manipulation of serps after the fact so possibly only 3 companies who actually sell red widgets will show in first 10 results on a search for red widgets
A good directory should be built by hand and links checked often
steve