Maybe instead of tags, we could have a crosspost feature that allows posting a topic in two sections. The full tag system seems like it would be hard to manage, with a load of tags.
The point of the tag system is so that you don't have to read both crossposted topics. Once you have read a tagged topic, it shows up as already read in the other sections that it is tagged for.
Topic: labels/tags instead of subfora? (Read 2423 times)
Maybe instead of tags, we could have a crosspost feature that allows posting a topic in two sections. The full tag system seems like it would be hard to manage, with a load of tags.
The point of the tag system is so that you don't have to read both crossposted topics. Once you have read a tagged topic, it shows up as already read in the other sections that it is tagged for.
Maybe instead of tags, we could have a crosspost feature that allows posting a topic in two sections. The full tag system seems like it would be hard to manage, with a load of tags.
The first thing that came to my mind is there would have to be a limit on the number of tags you could use, possibly based on something like forum rank (like newbies can only add one tag, normal people can add two). I am imagining the most obnoxious people checking every single tag so their drivel will pop up everywhere at once.
Good point. I suggest newbies can (and must) only use the "newbie" tag, similar to the way it works now.
The first thing that came to my mind is there would have to be a limit on the number of tags you could use, possibly based on something like forum rank (like newbies can only add one tag, normal people can add two). I am imagining the most obnoxious people checking every single tag so their drivel will pop up everywhere at once.
posted by rjk:
Not sure I understand why it would be an issue -- even using predefined tags, it's going to be like herding cats to get users to use the "right" tags. There may well be a predefined tag plugin out there, and I'm sure it's possible to modify one of the existing ones to a set list of tags -- just only have experience with the one I mentioned. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Frank
Well in this case, the "right" tags wouldn't matter since there would be a minimum of one tag, and the minimum tag would automatically be applied based on which section the topic was started in. Advanced users could tag a topic with additional sections, and then the topic would show in the tagged sections as well as the one it was started in.Quote
The issue with that plugin is that it allows freeform tags, whereas ideally you would have to choose from a list of predefined tags.
Not sure I understand why it would be an issue -- even using predefined tags, it's going to be like herding cats to get users to use the "right" tags. There may well be a predefined tag plugin out there, and I'm sure it's possible to modify one of the existing ones to a set list of tags -- just only have experience with the one I mentioned. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Frank
I was thinking tags only, no boards. I come to the forum, and click on "economics" tag, see what's new there. Then I also click on the "speculation" tag (check box) - now I see topics (aka threads) that have both "economics" and "speculation" tags applied. I start a new topic at that moment, it's got automatically those two tags applied to begin with. I can add/remove tags as desired (from the predefined list). There has to be at least one tag.
You come to the forum and choose to view "speculation" topics. You see all topics with that tag, including mine. Then you add "mining" tag, and you are you viewing topics filtered based on that. My topic is not there.
posted by rjk:
Not sure I understand why it would be an issue -- even using predefined tags, it's going to be like herding cats to get users to use the "right" tags. There may well be a predefined tag plugin out there, and I'm sure it's possible to modify one of the existing ones to a set list of tags -- just only have experience with the one I mentioned. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Frank
Well in this case, the "right" tags wouldn't matter since there would be a minimum of one tag, and the minimum tag would automatically be applied based on which section the topic was started in. Advanced users could tag a topic with additional sections, and then the topic would show in the tagged sections as well as the one it was started in.Quote
The issue with that plugin is that it allows freeform tags, whereas ideally you would have to choose from a list of predefined tags.
Not sure I understand why it would be an issue -- even using predefined tags, it's going to be like herding cats to get users to use the "right" tags. There may well be a predefined tag plugin out there, and I'm sure it's possible to modify one of the existing ones to a set list of tags -- just only have experience with the one I mentioned. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Frank
I was thinking tags only, no boards. I come to the forum, and click on "economics" tag, see what's new there. Then I also click on the "speculation" tag (check box) - now I see topics (aka threads) that have both "economics" and "speculation" tags applied. I start a new topic at that moment, it's got automatically those two tags applied to begin with. I can add/remove tags as desired (from the predefined list). There has to be at least one tag.
You come to the forum and choose to view "speculation" topics. You see all topics with that tag, including mine. Then you add "mining" tag, and you are you viewing topics filtered based on that. My topic is not there.
posted by rjk:
Not sure I understand why it would be an issue -- even using predefined tags, it's going to be like herding cats to get users to use the "right" tags. There may well be a predefined tag plugin out there, and I'm sure it's possible to modify one of the existing ones to a set list of tags -- just only have experience with the one I mentioned. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Frank
Well in this case, the "right" tags wouldn't matter since there would be a minimum of one tag, and the minimum tag would automatically be applied based on which section the topic was started in. Advanced users could tag a topic with additional sections, and then the topic would show in the tagged sections as well as the one it was started in. Quote
The issue with that plugin is that it allows freeform tags, whereas ideally you would have to choose from a list of predefined tags.
Not sure I understand why it would be an issue -- even using predefined tags, it's going to be like herding cats to get users to use the "right" tags. There may well be a predefined tag plugin out there, and I'm sure it's possible to modify one of the existing ones to a set list of tags -- just only have experience with the one I mentioned. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Frank
Interesting to see this after I just recently added tagging to the Forum package as part of the CIYAM platform.
The approach I've taken is that each user creates their own tags - when you click on a tag it displays the posts beneath (from newest to oldest although I might add the ability to reverse the ordering).
This is most useful when combined with searching and also can be useful for determining posts to be split/merged (which is available for mods/admins).
I think it is a pretty useful feature.
The approach I've taken is that each user creates their own tags - when you click on a tag it displays the posts beneath (from newest to oldest although I might add the ability to reverse the ordering).
This is most useful when combined with searching and also can be useful for determining posts to be split/merged (which is available for mods/admins).
I think it is a pretty useful feature.
posted by rjk:
Not sure I understand why it would be an issue -- even using predefined tags, it's going to be like herding cats to get users to use the "right" tags. There may well be a predefined tag plugin out there, and I'm sure it's possible to modify one of the existing ones to a set list of tags -- just only have experience with the one I mentioned. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Frank
Quote
The issue with that plugin is that it allows freeform tags, whereas ideally you would have to choose from a list of predefined tags.
Not sure I understand why it would be an issue -- even using predefined tags, it's going to be like herding cats to get users to use the "right" tags. There may well be a predefined tag plugin out there, and I'm sure it's possible to modify one of the existing ones to a set list of tags -- just only have experience with the one I mentioned. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Frank
@niko Sorry; I've been away and didn't realise you had responded to my post.
Tagging System for Topics has been online and updated since late 2006. I'm sure there are others, but TST is the only one I've used.
Frank
The issue with that plugin is that it allows freeform tags, whereas ideally you would have to choose from a list of predefined tags. Tagging System for Topics has been online and updated since late 2006. I'm sure there are others, but TST is the only one I've used.
Frank
@niko Sorry; I've been away and didn't realise you had responded to my post.
Tagging System for Topics has been online and updated since late 2006. I'm sure there are others, but TST is the only one I've used.
Frank
Tagging System for Topics has been online and updated since late 2006. I'm sure there are others, but TST is the only one I've used.
Frank
In the meantime, it'd be nice to know what moderators and developers think at this point - is this technically feasible?
It's a good idea and I'd love to have it (with some additional features), but I don't think it can be done well with SMF.
Thoughts on how best to do it:
Some tags (the current boards) would be listed as they are now on the front page. Additional less-popular tags would be shown in a categorized list elsewhere. A tag cloud could also be made available.
An "ignore topic" feature would be a good complement so you don't keep seeing the same topic you don't care about on multiple pages.
It'd be cool if users could define a number of "tag mashup" pages. Each page would list topics with any of several tags, and topics with certain tags could also be excluded from the page. Like a page containing topics with the tag "development" and "mining", but not "alternative clients" or "alternative currencies". If a topic matches multiple tags, it would only appear once on the page.
A separate report feature for incorrect tags would be nice. The reporter could add or remove tags from the current set for a topic, and moderators would see an easy summary like "+development, +mining, -discussion".
Wouldn't this drastically increase board size increase? A huge board is not optimal.
If done carefully, users should not notice any big changes. You filter posts based on a tag or tags, and you only see what belongs to that "board."
Right now, the user faces a list of boards and child boards on the main page. The user clicks on one, and topics are displayed.
In the new proposed system, users would face the same list, but with a checkbox for each item. Checking the box filters posts with that tag.
I know the devil is usually in the details, so I'll try to come up with some specific ideas over the next few days. In the meantime, it'd be nice to know what moderators and developers think at this point - is this technically feasible?
I totally support this. Some of the new sub-fora have been located in counter-intuitive places and the "right" place for topics isn't always the logical one.
Wouldn't this drastically increase board size increase? A huge board is not optimal.
I don't think "drastically" is the word I would use. It might make for some boards being considerably larger, but not all, as most things would only fit into one category anyway.
Wouldn't this drastically increase board size increase? A huge board is not optimal.
As long as users were forced to apply a minimum of one tag, I think it wouldn't be too hard to get used to. A new topic could automatically get the tag of the current section inserted upon creation.
There are tagging plugins for SMF; implementation would be easy. Getting users to properly and consistently use it would be the nightmare.
Frank
Frank
Not a bigger nightmare then getting users to post in appropriate boards.
There are tagging plugins for SMF; implementation would be easy. Getting users to properly and consistently use it would be the nightmare.
Frank
Frank
Not a bigger nightmare then getting users to post in appropriate boards. Can you provide examples of plugins?
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