Genesis of the Open Directory Project

March 1998

Yahoo Special Report

Does Yahoo Still Yahoo?

Idea for GnuHoo

Idea for GnuHoo

Original Goals

“Seed” Problem

UseNet News

Original Homepage Mock-up

Category Bootstrapping

Coding & Launch

Simple Flat File Format

Minimalist Design

Coding & Launch

NewHoo OriginaL Page

Wired News Article

Early Press was Key to Growth

About the Open Driectory Project

Social Design of NewHoo

Why Did You Apply to be a NewHoo Editor?

Why Did You Apply to be a NewHoo Editor?

Why Did You Apply to be a NewHoo Editor?

Why Did You Apply to be a NewHoo Editor?

Motivations to Edit

Directory Editing is Amenable to Incremental Effort

The Free Use License

GnuHoo -> NewHoo -> ODP

Robozilla

“That’s a Problem We Want to Have”

The ODP Won

The ODP “Won”

“Lost Ark” Ending?