RichTC - 6:00 pm on Dec 1, 2006 (gmt 0)

I dont think google would want to pick up ODP, why should they? - whats the point?

The directory on google isnt used very much anyway and frankly, google dont want surfers using their directory rather than their search engine. They want users clicking on PPC adverts. They are not a charity. Hence why the directory service on google is not on the front page but pushed further back after images, froogle, news, groups etc etc

Meanwhile, I have a real problem getting my head around any company keeping a liability on its books and then having to invest more to keep the beast going - AOL are also a public company and should not be burning investors cash on a liability that doesnt produce or contribute to its group revenue in any way.

Turning it the other way, should dmoz not return to the net, would the webmaster and internet surfer community notice any loss? Would they be unable to find the websites they require?.

In all honesty the search engine as the years have gone on has taken over from the directory. The internet holds far too much data now and is expanding at a rapid rate. As i see it, dmoz would not be able to keep up in its current format anyway.

The down time of the server may well be giving executives at AOL time to sit down and revalue where the dmoz concept is now going - who knows?.

One thing for sure is that if i were on the board at AOL i would certainly want this directory contributing to the group income in one way or another and i would have thought others would be thinking the same?

It will be interesting to see how this all works out but i wouldnt be surprised if AOl say its time to draw a line under the project.