“Webs fascinate us. Just as Odysseus’ men were dazzled by the
allure of Circe’s web, so are we powerfully drawn to understand and
map the varied and intricate strands of the World Wide Web.
Virtually all who come in contact with the Web find themselves to
one degree or another creating guides to share its enchantments
with others. Ranging from simple lists of links to massive indexes
compiled by software driven search engines, the Web seems to bring
out the inner librarian in us all.”
“Unfortunately, many who take on the daunting task of cataloging
the Web find themselves hopelessly ensnared–like Odysseus’ men,
who succumbed to Circe’s enticements only to find themselves
transformed into swine. The crew of the Open Directory Project
(ODP) has avoided this unfortunate fate, and in the process have
seen their efforts gain an unprecedented acceptance. Little more
than two years old, the ODP is leading a resurgence of
human-compiled Web directories, in the process, toppling
spider-compiled search engines from their dominant positions as
principal gateways to the Internet.”
“The ODP has succeeded by coupling a simple, yet elegant,
Web directory to the engine of a grassroots marketing campaign that
has won the hearts and captured the minds of millions of Web users.
The ODP’s straightforward Web directory needs little introduction
or explanation. Its workman-like interface and competent
search capabilities make it an appropriate tool for searchers at
nearly all levels of competence. The truly interesting part of the
ODP story lies, not in its mechanics, but in its genesis and
evolution, and the behind the scenes goings-on in the inner sanctum
of the project.”