Open Directory Revamped
Just given an overhaul to Spike's version of the Open Directory. The OD is a huge repository of hand selected websites, each checked by real humans for quality (a bit like Yahoo's original directory). It's a useful alternative to the usual search suspects.
The previous Spike version, powered by an outfit called Digital Windmill, had been corrupted by loads of spam and ads and no useful search results. The new version provides a much more pure version of the Open Directory, and integrates better with Spike's layout to boot. Thanks to PHPOPD for a seamless script that was painless to install and modify.
The OD has been the subject of some controversy recently, with arguments about the reliability and honesty of its editors and the glacial pace with which new sites are added. Certainly this has depreciated its value, but it's still a useful resource to browse or search.
The next GNU General Public License app I'd like to put on Spike is Wikipedia, which is an immensely useful resource. There doesn't seem to be a straightforward method of getting it running on my own server though. (GetWiki is all geek to me). If anyone knows better, please let me know.
More on Open Directory:
Spike | Google | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Wikipedia
