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Changing ODP Description?

how long?

         

keyplyr

8:12 am on Jul 28, 2002 (gmt 0)

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The cat my site is in says it needs an editor - Yeah, no kidding. I've been submitting requests to update my site's description month after month with no results.

The problem is, the old description says the site offers something that it no longer does. Thousands of visitors come but do not find what the ODP says they should find. I receive disgrunted user feedback because of this, but what else can I do?

Beachboy

8:36 am on Jul 28, 2002 (gmt 0)

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I know there are at least a few Meta editors who hang out here at WW. One of these fine people ought to stickymail you, Key, and offer to review your site.

keyplyr

8:20 pm on Jul 30, 2002 (gmt 0)

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Well that was a big mistake - the editor screwed up my site description big time. What's wrong with these people? Why can't they just leave things alone instead of screwing it up for the other guy? Unbelievable!

choster

8:53 pm on Jul 30, 2002 (gmt 0)

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The correct procedure, if there is a real error involved and an extended period of time has gone by without a change, is to send feedback to the nearest listed editor.

If there is no listed editor, move up a level. If there is no editor there, move up an additional level.

I've been submitting requests to update my site's description

Why can't they just leave things alone

Huh?

Using the Updated URL request does not obligate an editor to use the exact listing you ask for. Typically for description change requests, an editor will open up the site. If the existing description is deemed adequate (as it often is), the listing is left alone. If not, an entirely new description is created, i.e. it is treated like a new submission and the new description replaces the old. However unsatisfied you may be with your new listing, it reflects what the editor perceived your site was about.

keyplyr

9:13 pm on Jul 30, 2002 (gmt 0)

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I am an English/Music professor and as such, know how to compose a concise
and succinct website description well within the requested guidelines. My
academically sound wording was grammatically blundered into ambiguous, incomplete sentences, that even a high school freshman would not falter.

My point; if you don't know what you're doing, don't do it.

JuDDer

9:29 pm on Jul 30, 2002 (gmt 0)

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keyplyr,

What did you end up doing to finally get your listing edited? I've been submitting an update to my listing (url update) since 10th April and have had no luck.
Not even when emailing an editor higher up.

Beachboy

10:46 pm on Jul 30, 2002 (gmt 0)

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For stress relief, someone here ought to create a comical little CONTACT ODP EDITOR page. On top we have the ODP logo and Robozilla. Text to read: "Click button to get the attention of an ODP editor." Then of course we need a button to push. Below the button is a graphic of an editor. When you hit the button, hands suddenly appear, grab the editor by the neck and wring it real good. (Just my idea of humor.) ;)

keyplyr

11:30 pm on Jul 30, 2002 (gmt 0)

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> What did you end up doing to finally get your listing edited? (JuDDer)

I didn't do anything other than re-submit every several weeks. My guess is that an ODP editor, who is also a member here at WW, saw my post and was attempting to be helpful. I do appreciate the time and effort of anyone who goes out of their way to be of help. I do not appreciate those control freaks who feel it necessary to indulge themselves simply because they can.

Since the description update I submitted was a brief, accurate and relevant website synopsis which followed all the ODP submission guidelines, I can only conclude that this change was due to editor incompetence.

skibum

12:11 am on Jul 31, 2002 (gmt 0)

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Submissions all go into the same queue so frequent resubmissions just clog it up.

The description would look and read alot better if was not 3 incomplete sentences.

keyplyr

12:38 am on Jul 31, 2002 (gmt 0)

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> The description would look and read alot better if was not 3 incomplete sentences.

Thank you - I submitted one proper sentence.

<added> Anyway, this topic is getting old. Jumping to the chase; it's unfortunate when one works hard and long to build something worthwhile only to have it devalued by someone unconcerned.

rafalk

12:48 am on Jul 31, 2002 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



I can only conclude that this change was due to editor incompetence.

I beg to differ, but then everyone is welcome to their opinions. You had a large keyword filled description a lot of people would die for. You however wanted one simple sentence. Have you ever heard - "Be careful what you wish for - you just might get it"?

Quadrille

1:11 am on Jul 31, 2002 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member



Frankly, I admire the patience of all the editors who have spent time on that site, only to be abused for their efforts. Many editors would have given up and deleted the site a long, long time ago.

And the latest description is spot on (Well done that editor!).

And no, it wasn't me - if it was, I'd be proudly claiming it :)

Quadrille

1:21 am on Jul 31, 2002 (gmt 0)

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someone ought to create a CONTACT ODP EDITOR page. On top, ODP logo and Robozilla. Text "Click button to get the attention of an ODP editor." Below the button is a graphic of an editor. When you hit the button, hands appear, grab the editor by the neck and wring it real good.

Fine by me - but can we have one for editors where they press the button and the spam submitter spontaneously combusts with his yards of duplicate submissions? :)

Beachboy

1:26 am on Jul 31, 2002 (gmt 0)

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Excellent idea! Put them both on a single page.

keyplyr

1:33 am on Jul 31, 2002 (gmt 0)

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> I admire the patience of all the editors who have spent time on that site (Quadrille}

And so do I, as I said above: "I do appreciate the time and effort of anyone who goes out of their way to be of help."

A couple years ago I volunteered as an editor (guide) at Go.com. As I remember, as long as the submission fit the guidelines, we didn't change it; why would we?
Never having served as an editor at ODP, I am not familiar with how they do things. I was only angered at what started out as a gramically correct description, was changed to several incomplete sentences. I took it personally, after all it will serve as the first impression for anyone who searches for my topic content.

[edited by: keyplyr at 1:41 am (utc) on July 31, 2002]

skibum

1:39 am on Jul 31, 2002 (gmt 0)

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Unfortunately sometimes everyone loses. :(

keyplyr

3:38 am on Jul 31, 2002 (gmt 0)

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> Unfortunately sometimes everyone loses

Unfortunately, my kids will. This is not a product site, but an educational resource that sponsors indigent students.

choster

5:32 am on Jul 31, 2002 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member



You are of course free to disagree with the ODP's description style. I believe the ODP is already charged with the corruption of youth, although other reasons are usually cited.

Still, the popular use of fragments among editors following Yahoo!'s style has come to be preferred. Rare is the occasion where full sentences are required, because a site description is meant to read more like a dictionary definition than a book review:

suc•cinct adj. marked by compact precise expression without wasted words.