"web directory" cull?

[glengara]

G is showing some interesting results for "web directory", a lot of niche/local stuff, it's a bit like the web directory phenomenon never happened ;-)

[mtb167]

Define "the web directory phenomenon" please.

[glengara]

World and his wife developing valueless general web directories which mostly:

1. Use a common PHP script
2 Have a high number of the usual suspects in common
3. Offer multiple/deep links with choice of link text.
4. Do it for PR manipulation/AdSense revenue.

[I, Brian]

World and his wife developing valueless general web directories which mostly

Too funny - I'm sure your own directory (http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showthread.php?t=9622) is going to be the paragon of excellence. :)

You may find it helps to focus more on trying to build a quality directory, than bitching about other directories.

After all, a directory is just a publishing format - you're going to get varied quality in any publishing format.

[glengara]

Sorry Brian but to read my post as "bitching" I suspect you may be too close to the subject area to maintain an unbiased POV, in which case you too must have noted those "interesting" results.

BTW, I'd be interested to read your definition of the "Directory Phenomenon", unless of course you maintain there never was one :-)

<added>

Actually my "definition" was rather flippant, I wasn't quite sure how "serious" the question was....

I've had my first close look at web directories in several months, hoping to find, as mentioned, something worth copying, and noticed two things, the oddity in the results, and the paucity of design ;-)

[I, Brian]

glengara, there's nothing in your tone in this thread - or the one linked to - that suggests that you have anything but derision for other such sites.

Perhaps it's justified in many instances. Either way, you're welcome to your opinion, though please excuse me if I don't attempt to share your tone. :)

I'm not actually watching the results for "web directory", nor worrying about what others are doing - in my opinion, webmasters do better to focus on the user experience of their own sites. :)

[glengara]

Well I've never hidden my opinion on many of these "web directories" but to be honest I hadn't planned to re-hash that subject.

You must admit the results are somewhat surprising, I don't keep the closest eye on things, so don't know if this is due to the general "Big Daddy" view of things, or something specific to that particular category.