  
<h1 align="center">Describing Sites</h1>
<ul class="toc">
  <li><a href="#intro">Introduction</a></li>
  <li><a href="#what">What to Describe?</a></li>
  <li><a href="#logical">Logical Sentence Structure</a></li>
  <li><a href="#spelling">Spelling</a></li>
  <li><a href="#requirements">Browser-specific Requirements</a></li>
  <li><a href="#objectivity">Objectivity</a></li>
  <li><a href="#specificity%20">Specificity </a></li>
  <li><a href="#symbols">Inappropriate Symbols</a></li>
  <li><a href="#redundancy">Redundancy</a></li>
  <li><a href="#keyword">Keyword Lists</a></li>
  <li><a href="#pics">'Pics', 'Info', and 'Bio'</a></li>
  <li><a href="#acronyms">Acronyms</a></li>
  <li><a href="#third">Third Person </a></li>
  <li><a href="#not">Should NOT Include</a></li>
  <li><a href="#examples">Examples</a></li>
</ul>
<h4 align="left"><a name="intro"></a>Introduction</h4>
  <p align="left"> Every listed site must have a description. These descriptions 
    should describe the contents of the site objectively and concisely. They should 
    mention what differentiates the site from others in its category. 
  <h4 align="left"><a name="what"></a>What to Describe?</h4>
  <p align="left">All descriptions should mention the site's contents. For instance, 
    FAQs, company profile, and audio clips. Depending on the scope of the category 
    you may _also_ wish to describe the entity behind the site, remembering to 
    be objective of course. For example, in a category for red and white striped 
    widget manufacturers there would be no need for a description of the company 
    --the company's scope is implied by the category path and complemented by 
    the category description. However, in a Timbuktu/Business_and_Economy category 
    an overview of the company would be appropriate. </p>
  <p align="left">Descriptions of entities may include information such as the 
    type of market they deal in, what they do (if not implied by the name of the 
    category in which they reside), and what, if anything, makes them unique. 
  </p>
  <h4> <a name="logical"></a>Logical Sentence Structure</h4>
  <p> Descriptions must start with a capital letter and end with a period. They 
    must have sentence structure, but fragments are perfectly acceptable. For 
    instance, a complete sentence description may be: 
  <blockquote>This site contains biographies, photographs, and message board.</blockquote>
  however, "This site" is redundant as it is implied by the context, i.e. its 
  inclusion in a web directory. Thus, it would be more correctly written as: 
  <blockquote>Contains biographies, photographs, and message boards.</blockquote>
  <p> 
  <h4 align="left"><a name="spelling"></a>Spelling</h4>
  <p align="left">There is no excuse for spelling errors and/or typographical 
    errors in descriptions --a spell checker is available. In the main directory 
    US-English is used. In <a href="http://dmoz.org:8080/Regional/Europe/United_Kingdom/">Regional/Europe/United_Kingdom</a> 
    UK-English is used. Descriptions in <a href="http://dmoz.org:8080/World/">World/</a> 
    categories are written in the vernacular.</p>
  <h4 align="left"><a name="requirements"></a>Browser-specific Requirements</h4>
  <p align="left">Certain sites require specific technologies in order to be viewed. 
    For example, a site that is designed exclusively in Flash, is only viewable 
    by those with the Flash plugin. It is common to mention this information at 
    the end of the description, enclosed in square brackets. For example:<br>
    [Requires Flash]<br>
    [Requires Java]<br>
    [Requires Internet Explorer]<br>
    Note the use of the verb 'require'; such notations should only be made when 
    the site cannot be viewed without the specified technology. Tags such as [Optimised 
    for Internet Explorer] are unnecessary.</p>
  <h4 align="left"><a name="objectivity"></a>Objectivity</h4>
  <p align="left">Descriptions must be factual, and not contain your opinion of 
    the site. For instance:</p>
  <blockquote> 
    <p>Bob's Widget Collection - Superb range of widgets in amazing colors, textures, 
      and shapes. The best widgets money can buy.</p>
  </blockquote>
  <p align="left">Modifiers such as 'superb' and 'amazing' are subjective; they 
    do not belong in a description. "The best widgets money can buy." is a promotional 
    phrase, and adds nothing to the description. It should be removed.</p>
  <p align="left">Equally, superlatives such as 'better' 'bigger', and 'faster' 
    are subjective and should not be used.</p>
  <p align="left">It is inadvisable to make claims about the entity behind the 
    site, even if you believe them to be true. For instance, "the first widget 
    of its kind" is inappropriate for inclusion in a description.</p>
  <h4 align="left"><a name="specificity"></a>Specificity </h4>
  <p align="left">Aim to be specific in your descriptions. For instance, instead 
    of writing "Information on the car", you could write "Photographs, history, 
    trivia, and stories about the car."</p>
  <p align="left">In the same vein, terms such as 'and more', 'etc.' and '...' should 
    not be used in a description. It is assumed that you have not described every 
    single element of a site, thus such terms are unnecessary.</p>
  <p align="left">However, you should always use your good judgement when deciding 
    the degree of specificity to use. Remember, sites change. Stating that a site 
    contains '87 color photographs' increases the chance of the description becoming 
    inaccurate over time. However, if you state 'Over 80 color photographs', then 
    it is still specific but has more longevity</p>
  <h4 align="left"><a name="symbols"></a>Inappropriate Symbols</h4>
  <p align="left">There are very few cases where it is appropriate for a description 
    to include symbols such as exclamation marks, ampersands, tildes, and asterisks. 
    Not only are such symbols considered hype, and an attempt to unfairly promote 
    one site over another, but they also make the ODP look unprofessional. </p>
  <p align="left">With the exception of recognised acronyms, words rendered entirely 
    in capital letters are prohibited. As is 'creative' capitalisation, e.g. 'HoMePaGe'.</p>
  <h4 align="left"><a name="redundancy"></a>Redundancy</h4>
  <p align="left">When describing sites you should take into account their ontological 
    placement. For instance, if a site is contained within a category for Britney 
    Spears fan pages, stating that the site is a 'Fan page for Britney Spears' 
    is redundant as it repeats the category name. </p>
  <p align="left">Descriptions are read in conjunction with titles. Therefore, 
    it is inappropriate to repeat the title, in full or in part, in the description. 
    For example:</p>
  <blockquote> 
    <p>Widget Worker's Union: Texas Division - Texas-based union for widget workers.</p>
  </blockquote>
  <h4 align="left"><a name="keywords"></a>Keyword Lists</h4>
  <p align="left">Descriptions such as:</p>
  <p align="left">"Eye care, lens care, glasses, spectacle repair, 24 hour service, 
    eyes, and eyeglasses."</p>
  <p align="left">are not allowed. The ODP is not a search engine, and as such 
    does not utilise such 'descriptions'. </p>
  <h4><a name="pics"></a>'Pics', 'Info', and 'Bio'</h4>
  <p>The use of shortened forms of words are discouraged. Instead of writing 'pics', 
    for instance, write 'pictures'. Instead of writing 'bio' write 'biography', 
    etc.</p>
  <h4><a name="acronyms"></a>Acronyms</h4>
  <p>Commonly understood acronyms are acceptable in descriptions. If you use topic-specific 
    acronyms it is advisable to define them in your category FAQ.</p>
  <p>When using acronyms ensure that they are rendered in the correct case. Generally 
    acronyms should be written in all capital letters, for instance CD-ROM. Also, 
    when referring to plurals of acronyms, for instance multiple personal computers, 
    they should be followed by a lowercase letter 's', without an apostrophe. 
    E.g. 'PCs' not: 'PCS' 'PC's'.</p>
  <h4><a name="third"></a>Third Person </h4>
  <p>Descriptions should be written in the third person, i.e "Photographs of my 
    widget collection, and a story I wrote" would be changed to "Photographs of 
    widget collection, and a story."</p>
  <h4 align="left"><a name="not"></a>Should NOT Include</h4>
  <ul>
    <li>street/mailing and e-mail addresses, </li>
    <li>nearest intersection/highway exit, </li>
    <li>telephone/fax numbers, </li>
    <li>instructions for use of answering systems, </li>
    <li>hours of operation, </li>
    <li>prices, </li>
    <li>other URLs </li>
  </ul>
  <h4><a name="examples"></a>Examples</h4>
  <p>While there are 'wrong' descriptions, there is no single 'right' description 
    of any site. As long as it adheres to the guidelines, it is correct.</p>
  <p>Below are listed some examples of 'good' descriptions.</p>
  <p><a href="http://www.kcpl.lib.mo.us/search/srchengines.htm">Introduction to 
    Search Engines</a> - An introduction, review, and comparison of the major 
    search engines, from the Kansas City Public Library. </p>
  <p><a href="http://www.ctv.ca/">CTV</a> - The main network site. Contact information, 
    schedules for most stations, and links to other holdings (eg. cable channels).</p>
  <p><a href="http://www.ofesite.com/health/reflex/reflexology.htm">An Introduction 
    to Reflexology</a> - Explanation, origins and information on this new alternative 
    healing. Includes charts and remedy guides.</p>
  <p><a href="http://www.vix.com/menmag/voicdrum.html">The Voice of the Drum</a> 
    - Article by George A. Parks, Ph.D. containing information and support for 
    activist males. </p>
  <p><a href="http://www.mrkent.com/wx/weather.htm">Mr. Kent's Weather Links</a> 
    - Aviation weather links and links to general weather information, forecasts, 
    and conditions. A wind-chill factor calculator.</p>
  <p><a href="http://www.iwbf.org/">International Wheelchair Basketball Federation</a> 
    - Member countries, tournament results, latest news and future events for 
    the IWBF.</p>
  <p><a href="http://members.aol.com/PegFlint/units_how_to_plan.html">Peg's Unit 
    Study Planning Page</a> - A detailed how-to on developing and using your own 
    Unit Studies. Includes step-by-step checklist and information on learning 
    styles.</p>
