Thread Tagging FAQ: What you need to know and why you need to know it

[Chipp]

Overclock.net Tag System Guidelines for use.

Over the years overclock.net has amassed a wealth of information, in order to keep up with that information we have chosen to implement a tagging system. The intention of the tagging system is to make like threads easily accessible. In order for this system to be useful properly tagged posts are important. Any system is only as good as the data that it contains. If our threads are tagged properly the system will work. If threads are tagged improperly the system won’t make any sense and will not be a benefit to the community.

What is a tag?
It is important to understand why we tag a thread in the first place. Tags can be thought of to be a compliment to the individualized forums that we already have implemented. If I wanted to view an assortment of threads about Power Supplies, it is easy enough to just browse through that forum. What if I wanted to browse through a collection of threads about an OCZ 400W ModXStream Pro? I would have to perform a search. A tag could perform much of the same functionality. One thing that a search can’t provide is a connection between my search phrase and a similar idea. Let’s say that I did a search for the OCZ power supply- another tag that I might find on the thread is “Modular Power Supply”. That gives me another option in my searching, because it broadened my return set. Again, a search for “modular power supply” would have done the same thing, but a tagging system is about linking common elements. Tags will never be a replacement for search, but an augmentation that provides our members with new directions to look.

What isn’t a tag?
First and foremost a tag isn’t an opinion. A tag should never represent a member’s opinion. Those opinions will not create useful links to other threads. Tags should also never be used to indicate a “next step” or direction. Tags are not a medium for a joke; we have an entire forum for jokes. If you see a tag that you don’t feel is appropriate please report a post in the thread and specify that you are reporting the tag usage. A moderator for that section will take a look and edit the tags as needed.

Proper Tag Examples:
Modular Power Supply
OCZ
ModXStream Pro
Sleeving
Air Cooling

Improper Tag Examples:
Fail
Don’t Post
OCZ > Antec
OCZ FTW
SPAM
XXX was here
I’m bored

Why should I follow these rules?
Just like our posts, we will use infractions as a deterrent to misusing the tag system. If the mistake is simple there isn’t anything to worry about. We won’t start punishing people for simple mistakes or typos. We will take actions if members intentionally tag improper information. This will be treated like an off topic post, but specifically targeted for tags (Off Topic Tag). If a member chooses to disrespect another member or post a tag that is inflammatory then a harsher penalty will be assessed (Tag Abuse). The later infraction will be similar in size to a trolling infraction. Just like forum infractions, the point value and/or duration can be adjusted at the moderators discretion. If the tag is extraordinarily offensive, or if the member is habitual in violating the tag policies stronger infractions can be recorded. Tagging is no different from posting, if you try to abide by the rules you won’t get in any trouble. If you try and push the edge eventually you will fall over. Lastly, tags are not anonymous, if you leave a tag we will certainly know who left it.

What if I don’t think tagging is a good idea?
There is already a portion of our membership who doesn’t believe tagging will bring benefit to our site. I would encourage those members to take a second look once the tags are cleaned up. If you still don’t like the idea, you certainly don’t have to participate. Our policies require that you use a descriptive thread title, but will not require that you tag your thread.

[IEATFISH]

Thanks and bump for others to see.

[wierdo124]

One thing. I have never abused tags before, but when there's a spam thread i'll often tag it SPAM or DO NOT POST. I don't see anything wrong with this, many new members will post and they might see that and not.

[BFRD]

Originally Posted by wierdo124

One thing. I have never abused tags before, but when there's a spam thread i'll often tag it SPAM or DO NOT POST. I don't see anything wrong with this, many new members will post and they might see that and not.

This is not what the tag system is for. That is why the "bad" tag examples included those tags. We want to make sure that everyone understands that those uses are not acceptable. The tag system will not be used for sending a message to other users.

[Error 404]

Does this include the...Humorous...Tags that generally come with build logs (ie: *name*+Acrylic = win, love in acrylic form, etc.)?

[BFRD]

Originally Posted by Error 404

Does this include the...Humorous...Tags that generally come with build logs (ie: *name*+Acrylic = win, love in acrylic form, etc.)?

Yes, those tags would also be inappropriate. We intend the tagging system to be used for factual entries only related to the linking of thread topics. Humerous tags do not accomplish this goal. Also, saying something = win is an opinion and not a valid tag. There have been plenty of funny tags, I have laughed at more than I can remeber. However, the time for playing around with the tagging system is gone.

This is our current tag cloud, larger items have more associated threads. We plan on making this much more prominent, and don't want to see any "garbage" tags here at any point. We want to put emphasis on our vast wealth of information, not how many threads were tagged with "fail".

http://www.overclock.net/tags/

Please keep any of the serious business memes that you are thinking to yourselves.

[xToaDx]

Finally, I hated those stupid "DO NOT POST" tags.
Who cares if a new member bumps it anyway, it will be deleted eventually.

[BFRD]

This needs a bump.

I looked at the tags created yesterday and they were terrible (mostly). There were many many violations; I would estimate that only about 10-15% of the tags submitted were valid. Seeing this behavior I decided to build an automated report that sends out an email of all tags submitted in the previous 24 hour period. This will give our moderation staff a quick way to see who is abusing the system.

[radodrill]

What about things that have different spellings such as carbon fiber, which would be carbon fibre in the UK?

[GH0]

So basically:


This is what not to do.