I'm just going to give you the jist of getting listed in DMOZ.

First of all, you should only submit one URL to one category. Make sure you choose the most appropriate category.

Secondly, do not submit a forum that is dead. A bigger forum is good but if they see that no one's posting, it won't get listed.

Use the most appropriate title and description you can think of. Be as descriptive as possible.

It takes a while to get accepted into DMOZ, if you do get accepted, so do NOT submit your site over and over again. This is a sure way to get your site rejected.

DMOZ strengths:
1. just a data provider, so it does not rate, publicize or rank sites
2. more essential information obtained

DMOZ weaknesses:
1. editors abuse (sometimes)
2. longer time for site review

It does help rank sites. DMOZ is the king of directories. People actually pay to get their site listed in there because of the authority it has.

it's trusted by people. it's a general directory and that people can really have good traffic from this directory.

Nah, not traffic. It's more for the authority. You can rank better in SERPs as well as get a better PR.

could have been because of their longest stay in the net and has not gone down yet.

What are you going on about? I don't get it.

their lengthy stay and not weathered dominance as directory makes them more reputable.

Okay, I think I get what you're saying. Their age has a factour in their reputation?

yup, it's what i meant to convey. their long prevalence in history of directories gives them reputation and better position among all others.