Open Directory Editing Guidelines
Category Features
Alphabet Bars
Use alphabet bars to organize sites as a last resort. Generally,
editors should use them sparingly because they are not easy
for end-users to navigate. Examples
of when alphabet bars may be useful include collections of hundreds of
URLs or @links that cannot easily be subcategorized, such
as artist names and authors. Editors often find it useful to consult
with fellow editors to determine if an alphabet bar is the
best choice for subcategorization.
To create an alphabet bar, click on the "Make an alphabar" link
on the category edit page. This tool will guide you through
the process of creating the alphabet bar and placing sites
under the correct letter.
Sort Priority
Subcategories and @links may be grouped together in 2 or 3 sets.
Horizontal lines separate these groupings. Each group is separated by a
horizontal line.
Using Sort Priority
Sort priority should group similar categories together in a logical and
intuitive way. Sort priority can be used as an alternative to creating an additional layer
of subcategories. Sort Priority is meant to list the most
popular or frequently visited subcategories near the top
of the display. It is also used to separate two different
aspects of a category. Sort priority is usually not useful
in a category that does not have many subcategories, because splitting
them into two or three groups will not really change the
appearance of the category. Keep the end-user in mind
when sorting categories, as this tool is meant to help them browse and navigate
the Directory.
Setting Sort Priority
If others edit your category, make sure you've discussed your ideas
for sort priority with them before
setting sort priority.
To set the sort priority for your category, click on the
"Set sort priority for subcategories" link on the category
edit page. Use the radio buttons next the category
names to specify how subcategories should be sorted.
@Links
Also known as symlinks, @links point to categories that could
serve as subcategories of the current category. Symlinks are
distinguished with the @ at the end of the category name. There
can be many @links in a single category. @links are mixed in
with the subcategories. A new subcategory that might duplicate
the entries of an already existing category should include an
@link to that category. Having more than one category
with the same listings means more work for editors and a less
useful directory for users.
Creating @links
To add an @link in a category, go to that category's Edit
page and click "[Add @link]" at the end of the list of subcategories.
Use slashes to separate categories in the path to the category
you want to link to, and replace any spaces in the category
name with underscores ("_"). On your editing page, an @link to
a category that you do not have editing privileges for will appear
in black (since you can't edit in that category).
Editing Tip: You may copy the category title like this,
"Top:Computers: Internet: WWW: Searching the Web: Directories,"
and then paste that title into the "Category" blank in the
form. Most systems will copy text by using the command "ctrl-c"
and paste copied text by using the command "ctrl-v."
The software automatically translates colons with spaces to
forward slashes and spaces to underscores. This is much quicker
and leaves less room for error. The only thing left to do
at this point is to exclude the word "Top:" in the link, as
the system will not recognize the category string if it is included.
Deleting @Links
The "delete link" button next to the @links on the editor
page is not an instruction that the link needs to be deleted.
If you accidentally click on the "delete link" button (or
you wanted to delete an @link but then changed your mind),
click on the "Back" button on your browser. Currently, clicking
either "Confirm" or "Cancel" on the deletion request page
will cause the @link to be deleted. By clicking on the "Back"
button, you can ignore the delete request.
Related Categories
Related category links point to categories on
connected topics in other areas of the ODP. There should only be a
few related categories in each subcategory. Often a reciprocal link
between two categories will be set up as an @link in one direction and a related
category in the other direction.
Creating Related Categories
To create a related category link go to your category's
edit page and click [Add/remove related Open Directory categories]
and type in the category names.
Note: @link and related category link requests can be made through editall and
meta editors, should you not have
editing rights in a category where you think an @link or
related category link would
be useful. Each category has a forum thread devoted to these
types of requests.
The thread is usually titled - Rename/Delete/Move/Sort Requests.
Do not insert @links or related category links that lead back to your editor bookmarks.
The editor bookmarks are personal workspaces, and are not
meant for public view.
Category Charters and Guidelines
On the category edit page, item "3. Edit Category Charter" allows
you to add a category description, submission notice, and editing
guidelines specifically for your category.
The Category Description section is for editors and
Web searchers to learn more about your topic and the scope
and purpose of your category. You can view the category description
by clicking on the "Description" link on the upper right side
of your category's public page.
A good category charter ...
- Describes the scope and purpose of your category
- Describes the kinds of sites a user will expect to find
in your category
- Explains the relationship between your category and other related categories in the directory.
- Includes an informative, objective and brief definition
of your topic
- Does not include promotional or other marketing oriented information
- Does not include your personal opinions or philosophies about the category and/or the topic
The Submission Notice section is for people submitting sites to your category. This section can be viewed when someone
clicks on the "Add URL" link on your category page. A good submission notice includes all the aspects of a good category
description, plus it:
- Supports, rather than contradicts, the ODP's general
submission policy
- Describes the kind of sites that are listed in your category
- Explains where sites related to your category should be submitted
- Provides instructions to submitters in a helpful, courteous manner
- Does not include threatening or intimidating language (e.g. Don't
even think about submitting a shopping site to
this category …)
The Category Guidelines section is for editors only.
If you are adding category guidelines, other editors in your
category should agree to them before they are posted in this
section.
The ODP Guidelines apply to every branch and category of
the directory. Editors in some top level branches of the ODP
have created their own set of guidelines that are meant to
complement these general directory-wide guidelines. Category
guidelines provide instructions for handing unique taxonomy
and ontology issues relevant to the category's subject area.
Please note that category specific guidelines should never
contradict anything in these guidelines, and nothing in the
category guidelines supercedes the ODP Guidelines. A repository
of links to category specific guidelines and FAQs are maintained
at Computers: Internet: Searching: Directories: Open_Directory_Project: Policies_and_Procedures: Editing_Guidelines.
Category FAQs
A category FAQ is a way for you to provide information
to users and editors in a question and answer format.
A category FAQ should contain information about your category, and offer
answers to issues regarding scope and content. The same
guidelines for creating a good category charter apply to creating
a good FAQ.
ODP Staff may alter category charters and FAQs at their
discretion, particularly those that may violate official editing
and submission guidelines.
