... Broken DMOZ Category Page? ...

[DumbGuy]

Hi all,

 

Here's a bug that I've noticed for a bit, but only just getting around to report...

 

If you go to this category:

 

http://www.dmoz.org/Computers/Software/Internet/Servers/Shopping/Auctions/Assistance/Searching/

 

...you'll see it seems rather short, right? Well, I'm pretty sure there are other listings in there somewhere, but just not appearing on the page for some reason.

 

For example, you can run any of these searches:

 

http://www.dmoz.org/search?q=mapbid

http://www.dmoz.org/search?q=gumshoo

http://www.dmoz.org/search?q=auctionsieve

http://www.dmoz.org/search?q=bargainchecker

http://www.dmoz.org/search?q=watchcount

http://www.dmoz.org/search?q=auctionmapper

http://www.dmoz.org/search?q=goofbay

http://www.dmoz.org/search?q=search+and+gnome

 

...and you'll see they all link to the problematic category page, but aren't appearing there. It's as if they are listed in the directory, but are for some reason "hidden" within their category.

 

You may also notice that the category page seems "cut-off" alphabetically, so maybe it's a simple HTML or DB problem ?

 

I hope the above info helps.

 

Thanks!

 

-DG

[windharp]

I will check this.

[DumbGuy]

I will check this.

 

Great, thanks!

 

-DG

[pvgool]

The solution is very easy.

The category did get a big clean-up and the search has not been updated yet.

 

And due to a bug with the search system deleted listings can stay in the search results for a very long time.

The bug is known by AOL technical staff but we do not know when it will be solved.

[DumbGuy]

The solution is very easy.

The category did get a big clean-up and the search has not been updated yet.

 

And due to a bug with the search system deleted listings can stay in the search results for a very long time.

The bug is known by AOL technical staff but we do not know when it will be solved.

 

Oh, ok, sounds like that explains it.

 

But I'm still a little baffled... It seems very coincidental that the 2 items that still remain on the page start with "A". They seem to be alphabetically right at the top.

[jimnoble]

It's an Auction category and both titles, unsurprisingly, begin with the word Auction

[DumbGuy]

It's an Auction category and both titles, unsurprisingly, begin with the word Auction

 

Touche! Fair enough. That certainly makes sense.

 

It's just that I'm familiar with a number of the sites that were once in that category, many of them not starting with 'A' and actually being pretty handy free tools (usually for eBay).

 

I still think this situation is either a bug, or the mass-purge simply removed everything in that category beyond the first couple entries. I'm pretty sure those 2 remaining entries were right at the top of the original list, and if so, is no coincidence.

 

I'm gonna stop barking up this tree...

 

Anyhow, thanks for looking into it, and for responding quickly.

 

Cheers,

 

-DG

[jimnoble]

I still think this situation is either a bug, or the mass-purge simply removed everything in that category beyond the first couple entries. I'm pretty sure those 2 remaining entries were right at the top of the original list, and if so, is no coincidence.

You're welcome to your paranoia but did you read the category description (link towards top right)?

 

Services that provide searching for items across multiple auction sites, or provide sophisticated searching tools for one or more auctions. For example, providing searching for misspelled descriptions.

Listing that don't conform were moved/removed.

 

Most modern auction sites such as eBay already have excellent search tools.

 

It's a great shame when editors take the trouble to consider a broken category and fix it in a rational way only to be accused of misdemeanours.