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Just yesterday I posted on the fact that the index page of the open directory, also known as DMOZ, had fallen from Google search results and I mused about the idea that the directory may have died or at least in the eyes of Google.

No dice!

It reminds me of the baseball season that is coming to a close this week and as it comes down to the wire, my beloved Chicago Cubs have an opportunity to keep playing into October. The Cubs have been fighting under new management this season and have been on the move against what seemed like an insurmountable lead by the Brewers, but they have their post season hopes in their hands.

Similarly, the Open Directory that has appeared by many as being past it’s prime has it’s own future in the palm of the editor’s hands.

Well, if there haven’t been many indications (which there really hasn’t been any in a long, long time), there may be a glimmer of hope on the horizon as DMOZ opens a blog to be “the official source for information, insight, and updates about DMOZ, the Open Directory Project (ODP).”

We thought now was the right time to open the door and start a conversation with the Web community about what’s happening with the largest human-edited directory.

We intend to use this blog to:

- Provide authentic messages about DMOZ and the efforts of our volunteer community.

- Highlight enhancements, both current and future.

- Allow editors to showcase their categories and describe, in their own words, why DMOZ is so important.

- Recruit new editors. If you have access to the Web and are passionate about a category, find out how to apply.

Additionally we want to hear from you.

What do you think about DMOZ? Why do you use the directory or data? Is there something you would like to see fixed? When you’ve been around as long as we have, some people are bound to have great things to say, while others might have a few choice words based on their personal experience. Either way, we want to hear it

As the eternal DMOZ pessimist, I welcome the new transparency that this should bring. This is another opportunity that the Open Directory has to become a valuable resource that many search engines already give it value for.

I will reiterate a few questions posed by Bob Keating and two of my own:

Bob - What do you think about DMOZ?

Bob - Why do you use the directory or data?

pittfall - Do you use the directory or data?

Bob - Is there something you would like to see fixed?

pittfall - Does this change your perseption of dmoz?

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