hutcheson - 9:57 pm on Dec 11, 2006 (gmt 0)

1. Is there the possibility of a better way of processing submissions AND is that better way going to be programmed into the new (hopefully) release of the ODP?

(1) I think the definition of "better" is going to be a sticking point here. "Better" to an editor means "wasting less time on the unprofitable parts, and being able to focus on the most profitable parts" which to a typical commercial site owner means "suggestions exercise less influence on listings."

To focus on the "ideal" -- from the editors' point of view, if we are doing our job perfectly, the presence of a site suggestion will have absolutely zero effect on the site's speed of review, and on its chances of being listed. We are, clearly, VERY far from perfect, and so site suggestions do help a site get reviewed and listed. But movement towards the ideal process will be movement away from any dependence on processing suggestions.

Presumably, that is not what you think "better" means: you probably would define it something like "giving suggestions more influence over priorities and guidelines."

As for the new (hopefully shortly) coming release, I understand it is strictly an engine replacement, with no intentional changes to the decorative trim or the driver's control buttons.

2. Isn't it time to move towards a Web 2.0 model of listings?

I avoid buzzwords like "web 2.0" because they mean so many different things to different people that they end up meaning nothing.

But, to parse some of the possible ideas that might be involved:

(a) In terms of "mashups": The ODP, through its RDF, has since 1998 provided data that could be mashed by ANYONE. There's still nothing else equivalent in the directory niche. In this we're still leading the way.

(b) In terms of anonymous public participation, the limitations (specifically with respect to website promotion abuse) are being recognized in some of the more populist efforts. Wikipedia is turning back from allowing just anyone to add external links: it would be foolish of the ODP to follow their failed experiment down the wrong fork.

(c) In terms of "buzz": that's not the product of a beehive; it's merely sound pollution incidental to the work. We focus on the honey.

Whether it's time for a different model to build a directory: I don't know that time has anything at all to do with it. I tend to think a good idea isn't chronologically limited: all times are good for a new model. Google is already trying something that may be "web 2-ish" for some value of "2": more power to them. I won't form a preconceived notion of how it'll work, I'll watch and see.

I do NOT believe it's EVER a time for monopoly, for only one model to be permitted to exist. Even now, some projects (Wikipedia, Gutenberg DP) are trying to improve quality by encapsulating the old ODP concept of "trusted contributor." And that is a noble goal! But the fact that "web 2.0" is not universally applicable doesn't mean it is worthless. And the fact that it sorta works for parts of encyclopedias doesn't mean it would work at all for link lists.

I do NOT believe that the ODP will be moving towards more "untrusted" participation. I think we'll be looking harder for participants in places where trustworthy people might tend to gather.

And I do NOT believe that the ODP will make drastic changes in its model. I would definitely like to see other people trying to invent useful models -- but not just anyone! I want to see people with the courage of their convictions, who'll think of something and try it out themselves, rather than diluting it with snake oil and trying to sell it to people who already HAVE a model. Everywhere I go on the net, I see other ODP volunteers, volunteering elsewhere. I'm sure that if someone comes up with a REAL idea, an idea good enough to invest their OWN spare time in, they'll have some help from people with ODP experience. And we might all learn something. But nobody learns NOTHING from uninformed speculation. What I believe really doesn't matter much. It's what really happens that matters. And I'll be excited to see what really happens.