texasville - 2:23 pm on Jul 23, 2007 (gmt 0)

Victor,

>>>>>>>>But but should. It is exactly what should happen. Google is a licensed user of ODP data.<<<<<<<<<

Why? Why is there a dump? Why? The ODP is the most stringent user of the philosophy of why list anything twice. The ODP is death on dropshippers and affiliate sites. Yet the ODP spreads it's own content for duplication. There should be no dump. It clutters up the web.

>>>>>>>>>>Better that they get together and decide their response to the ODP, rather than a continuous stream of critics at WebmasterWorld asking that the ODP change to suit their needs. <<<<<<<<<

If you ended the dump, once again I repeat...there would be no complainers here or anywhere else on the net because it would be only one more static link. The editors of the ODP would be able to develop it in peace because it's relevance would only be as a directory. This is what could save the ODP all of it's headaches. Imagine...no more spamming to get in...Your submissions would drop by 90% (I imagine). Think about it ...no more complaints.

But this still does not answer the question. If the ODP is growing as a whole...why is the shoppping category not growing, at least in a relevant percentage. Indeed, it is shrinking disproportionately.