ODP Description woes

It was changed, but it's still the same.....

[coconutz]

I was informed by an ODP editor that my description was changed per the update URL request. The editor also thanked me for clarifying the terminology used to describe how my "widgets" are made. I sent the editor a short note to thank him for updating my description, and asked when the change would be posted. I received a reply that the listing should reflect the changes. I took a second look and saw that the old term is still being used. I wrote back to the editor and hinted that I may have made the mistake when I submitted the update request and asked if it was necessary for me to submit another update request (I didn't want to imply that the editor made the error). I haven't received an answer.

I think I may have screwed up by implying that the error was mine instead of just informing the editor of the mistake. Is the original update request still available for the editor to review? Or has it been deleted now that the description has been "updated"?

[rafalk]

Once an update request is evaluated, it is deleted from the queue. I suggest you re-submit your update request, with an explaination.

[coconutz]

Thanks for the suggestion. Is there a "log" kept for the URL that lists changes already made? I just wonder how inclined another editor would be to make the requested changes if they see that the description was recently modified. Another editor may deem that this new description is acceptable as is, not having had the benefit of viewing the old description.

[sabre23t]

Hi coconutz. Almost every editing are logged. Personally, I do look at previous edit logs if prompted or circumstances warrants.

[coconutz]

Thanks rafalk and sabre23t. I'll submit an update request as suggested and hope for the best.

[ettore]

coconutz:

>> I took a second look and saw that the old term is still being used

Notice that when a description is changed it takes some time (from a few seconds to some hours, depending on the page regeneration queue) to appear on the public side. In addition, since the search feature uses a "parallel" database which is updated sometimes once a week, searching for your site in dmoz will display the "old" description even if it has been changed and already shows up with the new version in the category page.

I'd therefore suggest you to wait a couple of days and check the category page where your site is listed, before making another update request.

[coconutz]

Thanks ettore,

Search results show the old description (search database updated 8/6/02). Viewing the listing in the category shows the "new" identical description (updated 8/11/02).

If you were the editor and I asked that you compare the search listing with the "new" category listing, would you be inclined to make the change?

I did try to submit an update request and received an error message: You must submit this form from the Open Directory site. Please go back in your browser etc., etc.

[ettore]

>> If you were the editor and I asked that you compare the search listing with the "new" category listing, would you be inclined to make the change?

Difficult answer... :) I don't know which site, which category and which change are we talking about. If the change is guidelines-compliant (which I assume it is, if the editor already informed you that the descr was changed), I would sure do it.

>> I did try to submit an update request and received an error message: You must submit this form from the Open Directory site

Uhm... which Directory are you looking at? I suspect you are looking for your listing in one of ODP downstream users (Google?). In this case of course the change won't show: we don't control when and how downstream ODP data users update :)

By all means, stickymail me with details of this issue, and I will be pleased to help you.