New Forum Feature - Tags

[angrysparrow]

Hello everyone.

As some of you have noticed, with the recent forum update there have been a number of new features added to the forum. One of the best and most powerful new features is called 'tags'. To make this feature successful, we need your help!

Tags are a way to improve our ability to search the forum and all the threads it contains. This is done by associating certain key descriptive words with a thread so that it will be displayed when a search is done for that term. As the number of tagged threads grows, our ability to search through the information, and to organize it in different ways, will grow immensely.

Tags are added in two ways, and they can be contributed to by any registered user! Everyone should participate.

The first way to add tags is when creating a new thread. Just below the message text window is a 'Tags text box'. This is where you can type in descriptive words that sum up what the new thread is about. For instance, for a new thread about ridge line cording, appropriate tags might be 'cord, rope, ridge line, suspension'. You can add up to 5 tags when creating the thread.

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Tags aren't limited to being added when a thread is created, though! We all know that the conversation in a given thread can tend to evolve and grow, and as that happens new tags can be added to encompass the expanded topic of the conversation. Again, anyone can help to add the tags! At the bottom of every thread, just above the reply window, is a small field containing all the tags that are associated with that thread. To add new tags, you just click the 'edit' button on the right side of that field and type in a new tag. Simple! Each user can add up to 2 tags per thread.


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So, as you use the forum, please help us to generate our base of tagged threads by using this feature. If you see a thread have a new topic discussed that isn't described in the tags, then tag it. And, if you happen to be going through an old thread with no tags, take a moment to add appropriate tags. If we all pitch in, keep the tags relevant and on point, then this new feature can become a successful and powerful new way to find information. Thanks for your help!

[headchange4u]

This will certainly make searching easier.

[Knowledgeengine]

I've caught myself adding tags to threads that look on topic I find in the today's post. I want to say it is very quick and easy to use. If you are going to click to read a thread it only takes a second to add some tags.

As to how many tags you get:

Thread Creator: 5 Tags
Thread Reader : 2 Tags

[angrysparrow]

Thread Creator: 5 Tags
Thread Reader : 2 Tags

That's a good point that I meant to include in the original post. It has now been added.

[JayS]

Dang, I was going to add the tag "Tag" but somebody already did that!

[angrysparrow]

Dang, I was going to add the tag "Tag" but somebody already did that!

I actually thought of that while writing up the announcement. :)

[Narwhalin]

I was thinking it would be nice if some of you would help me tag the old articles. I did the DIY HH tutorial, and plan on looking for more of my favorites. But, I can only give two tags per thread. If we all pitch in we can make sure the old threads don't get lost as people use this new feature to search. This should also hopefully help eliminate repeat questions.

I am loving the tags, because I can tag my favorite threads that I like to reference as I make gear. Then, it is very easy to get to where I need to be, as opposed to sifting through innumerable similar threads that are just not exactly the one that I wanted. Thanks for the upgrade! :)

[thatscguy]

This is sure to be a great feature. Coming from a rookie who spends hours searching these forums for answers..

[gunn parker]

Hi
I just added a new thread and tried to add a couple of tags but was told that "down" is too common a word and would be not allowed.
Thanks great feature though.

[angrysparrow]

I just added a new thread and tried to add a couple of tags but was told that "down" is too common a word and would be not allowed.

I'm looking into a way to edit the 'common words' list, but it's not entirely clear yet. In the meantime, I would suggest using other appropriate descriptive words where appropriate.

[attroll]

This problem with the word "down" has been fixed. Thanks to Angrysparrow for doing the research on how to do it ahead of time. It save me the time of doing it myself, thanks AS.

[angrysparrow]

If anyone comes across any other 'rejected common words' that we really ought to be able to use as tags, please let me know.

[headchange4u]

Just giving this thread a bump.

Help out future hangers! Make sure you add tags to threads!:D :D

[fin]

Hey, I noticed that people aren't utilizing the tags! It really helps searching if people add tags, even while reading the posts.

[JayS]

Tags are easy to add and are a great help when searching. I try to add tags as often as I remember, especially if there aren't any tags on a thread. It really helps when there is good info that you wouldn't expect given the thread title. Like the thread about a new hanger's questions that evolved into a good zipper discussion. I probably wouldn't remember to look at the thread for zippers but I tagged it so hopefully I can find it in the future.

[Narwhalin]

I noticed there are many tags that are spelled with a space to make them a different tag, but they are for the same thing:

Underquilt--Under quilt
Ridgeline--Ridge line
Tarptent--Tarp tent

Could we figure out a way to exclude duplicates on the tags by either agreeing on a standard or locking out one or the other? I would hate to miss out on info just because someone put a space between the words, and I didn't. I like whole words myself! :)

[fin]

I noticed there are many tags that are spelled with a space to make them a different tag, but they are for the same thing:

Underquilt--Under quilt
Ridgeline--Ridge line
Tarptent--Tarp tent

Could we figure out a way to exclude duplicates on the tags by either agreeing on a standard or locking out one or the other? I would hate to miss out on info just because someone put a space between the words, and I didn't. I like whole words myself! :)

Just add another tag, with the tag spelled the way you like!

[Narwhalin]

Just add another tag, with the tag spelled the way you like!

I would rather not have to put myself through that mind-numbing task! :D

The only thing I can think of being a problem is if someone were to search for "ridge line" and get no results because they were all under "ridgeline." However, if the search could somehow automatically direct them to the proper term, it would solve that problem.

[cavediver2]

I would rather not have to put myself through that mind-numbing task! :D

The only thing I can think of being a problem is if someone were to search for "ridge line" and get no results because they were all under "ridgeline." However, if the search could somehow automatically direct them to the proper term, it would solve that problem.

It dont take much half the one I look at I add a tag of some kind just so that its there. I the put on the ridge line or ridgeline or ridge like across the ridge it should come up I would think but then my mind is not real clear right now **** med's

[fin]

I'm going to bump this every day until people start adding tags!

[headchange4u]

I have noticed that a lot of new thread don't have any tags added. Just a friendly reminder to help out future hammock hangers and add tags to threads when possible.

[angrysparrow]

Bump!

Please everyone, take a moment to add appropriate tags to threads you post in. Doing so really helps contribute to efficient searching...

[fin]

I would rather not have to put myself through that mind-numbing task! :D

The only thing I can think of being a problem is if someone were to search for "ridge line" and get no results because they were all under "ridgeline." However, if the search could somehow automatically direct them to the proper term, it would solve that problem.

Tags will "suggest" themselves as you type. If a tag doesn't exist, no "suggestions" or autofill happens during the search process. However, if you start typing "Group ", Group Buy pops up and "suggests" itself to you. That is how tags direct you to the proper term. If nobody ever bothered to enter the tag that you think should be there, that is another story.

[gunn parker]

Thanks for the prod, I just added some tags.

[headchange4u]

I forget about tags a lot of times but I do try and add them when I can think about it. Sometimes I go down through the new posts just to add tags to thread that don't have them.

[Schneiderlein]

I just added a few tags to the HH bugnet installation thread (http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3600). I added the tags "hennessy, zipper, bugnet, zipper mod". I then tried searching using the tag search and entered "hennessy zipper bugnet" hoping to find the thread, but got to a page saying "Invalid Tag specified".

Am I doing something wrong, or does the tag search feature only work if what you enter exactly matches an existing tag? I tried a bunch of ways to specify multiple tags, but could not figure out how to do it.

Is there a way to search for threads that match multiple tags?

Thanks.

[Ramblinrev]

I played around a little bit and found that as I typed in a tag a list of suggestions dropped down. I So you have have to choose from the suggested tags to get it. I did connect to the thread easily with just zipper -> zipper mod == desired thread.

I don't know how much that answers your question but that's what I found.

[angrysparrow]

Is there a way to search for threads that match multiple tags?

Aside from the regular non-tag search, which does index tags, only one tag at a time is currently searchable. More robust tag-cloud options are being developed for vBulletin even now.

There is a very small percentage of HF's threads that are currently tagged, though. And that is our biggest problem with using tag search. Unless we can get mass-cooperation in adding tags by everyone reading the historical threads, the tag search will be of limited use.

Take time and type in tags everone, please! ..and watch your spelling while doing it.

[gunn parker]

I just started at the first page of the new post search and went through and added a bunch of tags to threads with out the tag icon.
I did quite a few but not all.
Gunn

[fin]

I just started at the first page of the new post search and went through and added a bunch of tags to threads with out the tag icon.
I did quite a few but not all.
Gunn

Thanks, Gunn. :) I try to look at the tag fields on every forum thread I read, and have done just what you described. It gets tedious after a while, and you feel like you are the only one doing it.

If everyone would look at the line just below the very last post on the page, they would see the "Tag" section on every post. The left hand side of the section shows the tags already added, the right hand side has the "edit tags" link. To add a tag, click on the words/link "Edit Tags." This opens a box for you to enter in key words or "Tags" for later searching.

I keep seeing posts about people trying to find the forum thread that they started, but can't find it because a mod moved it or they can't remember which forum category they posted it in. If the thread was tagged, it would be much easier to find even if the thread is later moved to a different category. My 2.

[slowhike]

Yep, I spent a while going through some threads the other night, adding tags. It would be great if quite a few would jump in & check some threads for tags.
Threads that you started or took part in would be a good place to start.
doing it for a while helps us start thinking about looking at the threads when we are on a thread.

[Cannibal]

I've got some catching up to do on stuff I missed anyway; I'll try to remember.

[Cannibal]

Everybody except me probably already knows this, but you can't use "UQ" as a tag because it has to be at least 3 letters.

[slowhike]

Everybody except me probably already knows this, but you can't use "UQ" as a tag because it has to be at least 3 letters.

HA HA... I started to say just add a smile beside it but that wouldn't work... who's going to search for a UQ:)

[cavediver2]

Yep, I spent a while going through some threads the other night, adding tags. It would be great if quite a few would jump in & check some threads for tags.
Threads that you started or took part in would be a good place to start.
doing it for a while helps us start thinking about looking at the threads when we are on a thread.

yes I have been doing that as well as much as I am on here I figure I can do something other than read :D

[slowhike]

yes I have been doing that as well as much as I am on here I figure I can do something other than read :D

The more the merrier! Thanks.

[fin]

Bump again, for the newer members and for those of you who are still not tagging your threads.

[angrysparrow]

Now if we could just force "tagging." :rolleyes:;)


I really considered that, but I don't want someone entering bad tags just to proceed.


Maybe parse the title for keywords (nouns?) for automatic tagging? I don't know, it always bothers me when I don't see a tag on a new forum topic.


In the video directory, if you use the 'Load Information' function for your video the tag field will be auto-populated. I will think about implementing something similar for the regular forum threads.


FishinFinn and I had the above quoted conversation in another thread, but it is relevant to tags.

As such, I'm testing a new 'auto tags' feature here on the forum. When you create a new thread but don't enter tags, it will automatically generate tags from the thread title. This isn't necessarily the most accurate way, but I think 'some' tags are better than 'none'.

Please everyone, watch your thread titles for accuracy and relevance...and add to the tags!!

[fin]

Auto Tags seems to be working well, but do people know how to search using them?

Thanks for adding the auto tags, Sam - this is no longer a source of frustration.

[angrysparrow]

Bump it up.

Tagging works well....but only if you tag your threads!

[kirkerik]

hey that's what tags are! I've been wondering...

remember to tag stuff,

and not only here but all your forums- because i bet it sure makes the search function work a whole lot better!