Best of the Web (BOTW.org) has pulled off an Internet web site classification coup de etat, hiring over 30 of the top DMOZ editors which had built the foundations of the Netscape Open Directory Project during the ‘glory days’ of DMOZ.
The new Best of the Web team is a hand-picked squad, with many names well known in the directory industry. It includes 6 of the most active “metas” from the days ODP took its baby steps; laisha, kfander, furbis, mitch, kctipton, former DMOZ Admin bldarter, plus many other long-term editors well known for their active leadership and editing roles… robjones, compostannie, alucard, spectregunner, desertjules, and many more.
Known as “The Nerd Herd”, the new crew’s focus will be on architectural improvements and beefing up categories with additional relevant resources. The addition of so many of the players instrumental in building a well-known directory to prominence is a bold step toward helping Best of the Web reach out to meet new goals in size and quality.
Best of the Web CEO, Brian Prince commented :
“We have always been a bit obsessive about providing the user with the highest quality, relevant resources - whether that user is a surfer, a site owner, or a search spider. We’re excited to bring on a crew that shares the same commitment to quality.
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Best of the Web told Search Engine Journal that providing users with quality resources that are relevant to their area of interest has always been at the core of BOTW’s mission.
The first two rounds of recruits will play an instrumental role in the future development of BOTW initiatives. While current efforts are focused on build out of the web directory and blog directory offerings, future projects will benefit as well.
“With their unique set of talents, we’ll be able to more effectively pursue additional opportunities” added Prince. “I fully anticipate the newest editors will have immediate and long term positive impact on everything that BOTW is, or will be involved with. BOTW’s future as a world leader in the categorization of quality, content-rich media depends on the extraordinary talents of our people. This crew will contribute a lot to our continued success.”
What are you waiting for? List your site(s) in Best of the Web today!
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Comments
14 responses so far ↓
SEO web hosting on Apr 8, 2008 at 9:16 am
The opportunity exists for someone to take over DMOZ authority status. Hopefully the BOTW folks have the resources for the long run.
Small Business Internet Marketing on Apr 8, 2008 at 10:31 am
Let’s hope BOTW keeps growing…so they can afford to keep giving out the best conference t-shirts.
Loren Baker, Editor on Apr 8, 2008 at 10:38 am
@ Small Business Internet Marketing
@ SEO web hosting
Thanks for commenting but please use your real names and not these anchor text monikers.
BOTW totally rocks. It’s amazing to see them consistently make smart growth choices like today’s announcement.
inkodeR on Apr 8, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Very smart move by BOTW.
DmozSucks on Apr 8, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Wonderful news, anyone and anything but Dmoz. The amount of hate and contempt for Dmoz can surely sustain any serious attempt to offer an alternative to this infamous failed OPD.
Nomoz.org is another good alternative.
dmozSUCKSsquared on Apr 8, 2008 at 6:48 pm
DMOZ really sucks. Really, really, really sucks. it’s the most biased “we’re not biased” directory I have ever come across.
Drew on Apr 8, 2008 at 8:28 pm
So hiring people who oversaw a directory that well and truly sucks is a good idea - why?
DvS on Apr 9, 2008 at 2:48 am
Well, DMOZ has an authority status so it must have done _something good_ at some point in time and space. Chances are these oldtimers are partly responsible for that.
I like that BOTW has a fox at the bottom-right of their page. It’s a funny counterimage with DMOZ’s ol’ lizard.
MrDaz on Apr 9, 2008 at 3:11 am
That’s BOTW knackered then. Why not just let corruption in through the front door? Oh, they just did.
robjones’ public spats and childish name calling are legendary, even for a Dmoz editor. Someone read the last rights to BOTW, they’ve just killed themselves.
Monayuki on Apr 9, 2008 at 11:48 am
Congrats to BOTW and the new editors. Rob Jones is the best.
Chetan on Apr 9, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Would anyone disclose how much are they paying for hiring a Dmoz editor?
And loren, any way to apply to become an editor there?
Cindy on Apr 11, 2008 at 3:57 am
Congrats to BOTW and the new editors
Masood on Apr 12, 2008 at 11:17 am
It is good to learn about the efforts going on. Nice directory indeed.
Pushkar on Apr 25, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Nice to see BOTW looking to add more value to itself.
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