Netscape's Volunteer Army Indexes Web

Shared Minds and Efforts: 'Open' is in Vogue

Actually, Netscape's approach isn't unique. Go.com has created a similar staff of volunteers called Go Guides. Since its inception in August, Go.com has recruited about 6000 Guides and points to 190,000 sites. However, Go.com doesn't license its search technology to third parties.

Similarly, the HotLinks search engine requests you share your browser bookmarks, so others can search through them.

The communal zeal that has inspired so many to contribute to the greater good of the Web is similar to the "open source" movement, says Rich Skrenta, cofounder of the Netscape directory.

Netscape is riding the open-source wave with another Netscape project, the development of its next-generation Communicator 5.0 Web browser. The company turned its code over to a community of thousands of software engineers to tap their expertise and build a better browser. All modifications are made available to the public.

Open Aids Underdogs

The open-source surge has also helped alternative operating systems like Linux shake up the software market by presenting a challenge to Microsoft--if not in volume, at least in enthusiasm.

"What we are building is a superior, participatory method for organizing content on the Web," Skrenta says. "Someday, Yahoo is going to realize that there's no way it can keep pace with the Web." That's the day Netscape wins the search war, he says.

Earlier this year Lycos replaced much of its directory listings with Open Directory, saying its staff of 200 editors couldn't keep up with the growth in the Web.

Yahoo's Challenge

Quality, not quantity, counts, responds prime rival Yahoo. Representatives declined to comment any further.

Analysts say Yahoo shouldn't lose sleep.

"Yahoo isn't just about search anymore," says Emily Meehan, an analyst with The Yankee Group. "Yahoo is about content, commerce, and communication." Search is important, but the Open Directory will never threaten Yahoo, she says.

The market may have room for both--and other search sites, notes Malcolm MacLachlan, an analyst with International Data Corporation.

"It's not about putting Yahoo out of business," McLachlan says. "It's about creating a great directory and not giving people a reason to go to Yahoo."

The battle may be for mind share, but these free services do have prices attached. Netscape's Open Directory Project produces a Yahoo-like directory without the price tag. NetCenter and AOL.com both use the directory and benefit enormously, but don't have to shell out a nickel to build it.

Too, it's a matter of cyberturf. Still, if Netscape overtakes Yahoo in index size and popularity, that could be a tough turn for the search engine pioneer.