Hello, let me introduce myself.

I'm Jimmy Wales, co-founder of Nupedia and Wikipedia, the open content
encyclopedias.
You can read about these projects here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/20/technology/circuits/20ENCY.html

I'm experimenting with an idea for an open content web directory, at
http://www.3apes.com/

The principle of organization for 3apes is very simple at the moment.
It functions on the same basic principles as a "wiki".

All the data will be made available under a free license. I might use
the GNU FDL, but the GNU FDL is a bit too complicated for what I want
to accomplish. In any event, the data will be licensed freely.

One of the problems with ODP, as many XODP readers know, is that ODP
has had trouble with cliques and power struggles, for better or worse.

One of the problems I see with virtually all "alternative" volunteer
directory services is that they do not utilize a free license. I
believe that this discourages volunteers.

One of the problems with BOTH ODP and the alternatives is the difficulty
in getting started. With 3apes, you don't have to sign up or anything,
you just grab a button for your toolbar and you're in business.

This is in the experimental stages. Many features will be added soon,
but I wanted to quietly announce this here to see if a few good people
might like to check it out and give advice.

--Jimbo