Webwork - 5:24 pm on Dec 10, 2006 (gmt 0)

I would imagine that hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours have been invested in building the ODP and that it has been built with the idea that it should be a valuable resource.

When I look at it I see that it's nicely organized into logical categories. I see the brief website descriptions. I can see that it might have some value, particularly in some narrow areas or categories where the search engine results pages are a bit messy.

Still, I don't recall ever using it for any search or research.

When is the last time the ODP ran a front page survey of its users?

When is the last time the ODP proactively surveyed users by offering them a list of options in a survey, such as "Which of the following would . . . (be an improvement, etc.)"?

Such a large resource. So much work. So little buzz.

Maybe if the ODP redesigned it's UI and user experience around a more proactive user engagement it might gain a bit more traction and become more relevant and useful?

The same could be said of any directory. Still, there's nothing quite like the ODP.

Does it make sense that the ODP become more proactive and engage its user base in the design of the form and operation of the ODP?

Emphasis on "more proactive", like putting the request for input right out there - in the form of a survey or something akin to a survey - right on the front page?

[edited by: Webwork at 5:28 pm (utc) on Dec. 10, 2006]