There are some good points mentioned along with some replies but I can easily say that changing the business model of how LL's have run their sites for the last 8 years is a difficult task at large...however, I can also say that it's not impossible. I would love to take each point presented as well but then as GG said, it would end up being many replies like MrYum's...lol...I think mine would end up taking a full page length.
I know with 69toplinks, I've done some things slightly different and although I've been extremely busy with web design for the past 6 weeks or so, I am "finally" getting back to updating the complete directory and will address some things -- which I've already known about from before. Don't let it be said I don't listen to the end user or webmaster communities
But to totally revamp the world of LL and link directories, it won't happen over night. There is another part to all this as well....there are the issues that also involves sponsors and how they do their business which also needs some updating...but thats a whole different topic for the future
oh...and lets not forget free gallery site makers...again, that can be saved for another topic thread...