We - Markos and the site administrators - would like to introduce a couple of new features (or at least, new implentations of existing features) regarding tags, and also explain our new guidelines for tag usage and editing.
First, the new features. Ala Wikipedia, you'll now be able to see who has edited the tags to any given story. Scroll down to the bottom of a story and right next to the tags you'll see a link called "Previous Tag Versions." That will show you who edited the tags and what they modified. We think this transparency will help improve the tag system.
Also, we hope to soon swap out the "All Tags" link with a link to the Tag Search feature. Right now, the All Tags link shows you just the top 150 tags. It used to show all forty or fifty thousand tags on a single page, which wasn't especially useful, either. But the search feature lets you narrow in on exactly what you want, with ease. (Props to DKosopedia tag maven The Centerfielder, who built it.) Assuming we're able to integrate this feature properly, we'll make another announcement when it goes "live." But for now, you can use the search function by clicking the link above.
Now, on to the new guidelines. We know there's been some confusion and even unhappiness of late regarding tags, and in particular with how tags are edited. Part of the problem has been a lack of clarity from the site management, and today we aim to rectify that. It almost goes without saying that when you're exploring a new medium - as we've been doing every day for the past five years - there can be a bit of a learning curve. So without further ado:
- Always err in favor of adding new tags, rather than deleting or modifying existing tags. Some folks have expressed concerns about the size of the tag database. In terms of server strain, we can assure you, there is no need to worry. (The tag db is comparatively very small.)
Our general principles behind this policy are two-fold. First, different folks have different ways of mentally categorizing things. That's the strength of a folksonomy, and by letting a plurality of tags bloom, we play to that strength.
The second reason is the flip-side of the first, namely, that individual tags have to be "allowed to fail." The tag system is not the Dewey Decimal System - it's not designed to be. On a site as large and free-wheeling as this one, it's almost certainly futile to try to enforce a rigid classification system. So it's okay if some tags only get used once. Other tags will "succeed' and be used many times.
If you would like to search for a particular tag, you can always check out the DKosopedia tag search tool here, or use the "Sort by Tag" feature found at the top of the Recent Diaries section of the sidebar.
- Tags should generally only be modified when you see misspellings (eg, Gorge W. Bush) or obvious ambiguities (eg, George Bush instead of George W. Bush, to distinguish son from father). If an ambiguity is not clear-cut, please add a new tag rather than modify an existing one.
- If a diarist chooses a particular tag that might be different from what you've chosen (say, "bellwether state" instead of "swing state"), please respect the diarist's choice, even if your preferred tag is in wider use. Feel free to add your suggested tag as well - just don't modify or delete the diarist's tags.
- Tags should generally only be deleted if they contain abusive language (eg, "this diary sucks," "sh*t diary", etc.). We emphasize in the strongest of terms that these kinds of tags are completely unacceptable. The use of abusive language in tags will be treated as a bannable offense.
- If you see a tag that seems to be completely out of place, please post a comment asking for clarification (there might be a good reason for it) rather than deleting it.
- Don't use the "troll diary" tag, or any variant thereof, when you think a diary is trollish. Tags are designed to help folks search for information. There isn't a need to be able to search for alleged "troll diaries" - the administrators have many tools at our disposal to find trolls, and this one is not necessary. It also creates needless flamewars and thread hijackings when people disagree over whether a particular diary is, in fact, a troll diary. (Obviously, if a diary is discussing the issue of troll diaries, then this tag might be appropriate.)
We will do our best to answer any questions you might have in comments.