Hedir Review : Implementing Free Tagging In Hedir

lakhya · Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Posts: 473 15240 Hedir Points

Here is a thought -

Hedir category system is a rigid structure not allowing for easy information retrieval. For example if i have to search for Bryan Adams, i do not find an easy way to start ( i am not taking into account the search option)...

To overcome this barrier, i propose implementing a free tagging system for hedir. Under this system we will do away with the current directory structure and use free tags from users.

We will have a browsable index of free tags submitted by users in place of the current directory categories. Levels of categories will vanish and will be replaced by one flat index page of free tags.

When an user suggests/submits a site in hedir, we will not ask for a category. Instead we will allow submitter to tag it the way he/she wants. After submission, site will be available under all the tags.

Your thoughts...

Google Junky · SuperMOD Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 3868 286 Hedir Points

Could you show me another site that uses this type of tag system so I can get a feel of what it would be like? I'm still trying to understand how this works.

redhex · Joined: 10 Nov 2005 Posts: 559 18636 Hedir Points

Let the moderators decide and get a feel first before we jump into it. Tag Spam is one hell of a lot of work if you wanna clear them.

AjiNIMC · Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Posts: 516 18600 Hedir Points

kappixteam · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Posts: 265 10351 Hedir Points

I think Technorati uses tag search. Can we learn something from them?

Melkor · Posted: Sun May 07, 2006 11:11 am Post subject:

In principle, it's an interesting idea, but in practice, the black hat SEO's would be delighted to have another attack vector, I think...

Within a category - possibly useful though slightly spam,-vulnerable. Doing away with the category structure entirely and using a technorati-like tag clound instead? Uh, sounds like a spammer's wet dream to me...

baggeroli · Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:10 am Post subject:

Why should we choose between the two systems? Why not have both? The old cat system for old skool users (my dad) and the tag system for new skool.

The way I see it, cats and tags can work together: it's all about search capabalities. Tags are only of any usage if a suited search facility is tight to it. You can search for tag(s) only or you might search for tags in a particular category.

I do see a problem with controlling the tags. If submitters can generate any tags they'd like, we'll get spammed to death and we have to check every single tag for relevancy. I suggest to maximize the amount of tags. You force the submitter to choose their keywords well and there's no room for BS tags. They're just keywords and 5 or 6 should be enough together with a location tag or company name tag if applicable. You could even tag the site URL and username and we'd finally have a real search capability! Laughing

baggeroli · Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:14 am Post subject:

Btw: as you might have noticed, I've not been around as much as I used to be. I bought a new house and it needs a lot of work. Think kitchen, bathroom, electricity and floors besides the usual paint job. My estimate: 2 months but could be 3. I'll try to check in once a day but I can't make any promises. Hope you understand.

As soon as I've moved, I'll be back with a vengeance. Twisted Evil

chatterfox · Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:44 am Post subject:

Hi, geat discussion going around here. I think the tagging system is a bit too confusing. What if there are several "same" tags owned by different users? How would the system be in order?

AjiNIMC · Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Posts: 516 18600 Hedir Points

Tagging is a wonder concept which empowers the users but a little difficult to implement as it can be messed up easily. I seriously liked bret's idea and baggeroli's idea of keeping both the systems.