I think members creating a thread should be discouraged, or even

[tiny-tim]

I think members creating a thread should be discouraged, or even banned, from inserting tags.

A tag search should reveal useful information, but at present it reveals mostly a lot of questions on the subject that haven't been usefully answered.

I suspect that new members think that the tag facility wouldn't be there if they weren't intended to use it, and that using it will help them to get an answer … some seem to insert as many tags as possible.

However, I suspect that nobody looking for a thread to help on actually uses the tags to do so … that the tags are actually used only to find answers, rather than questions!

IMO, it would be better if tags were only added after the question had been answered (or during the answering), once it has become clear that the thread will be helpful to readers studying the subject. And perhaps only by Homework Helpers and above.

But maybe I'm wrong about how people use the tag search facility? What do other members (helpers and helpees) think?​

 

[Danger]

This is probably the stupidest thing that I've ever posted, but I honestly don't know what a "tag" is. I've used links to ImageShack, and addresses to other posts, but I have no clue about tags.

 

[AnTiFreeze3]

This is probably the stupidest thing that I've ever posted, but I honestly don't know what a "tag" is. I've used links to ImageShack, and addresses to other posts, but I have no clue about tags.

When you create a new thread, you have the option to use up to five different "tags", which are keywords that, when somebody uses the search function, will hopefully direct the searcher towards your thread.

 

[rollcast]

I never bother with them and surely the search engine that comes with the forum (or the google one) would be able to categorise threads a lot more efficiently than some of the tags I've seen on some posts.

 

[dlgoff]

Here's the thread on the "Tagging System".

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=239681

 

[Danger]

Thanks, Ant.

Out of respect, I would normally address you as "Mr. Freeze", but that brings up visions of Schwartzenegger that are best forgotten.