=][= TAGS BEING UPDATED =][=

[Brother Tyler]

Our tags system is in a transitional period. Prior to this, we have allowed freeform tags - members could basically type in whatever they wanted for their tags. We have had the option to limit tags, but I didn't want to do that. Freeform tags will no longer be an option when we upgrade to Invision 5.0, however, so we're leaning forward and building our tag list.

 

Ultimately, tags are one element of our content discovery. Most people probably just look at them and see what tag(s) members have assigned to their content. Some of you may have figured out that you can click on a tag and the software will then perform a search, returning all results for content that shares the clicked tag. For tags to be truly useful, then, there needs to be some level of consistency. Freeform tags don't guarantee consistency and we would often see different spellings, abbreviations, etc. for the same concept. For example, content about Space Marines might have a variety of tags assigned, such as Space Marines or Adeptus Astartes, and you can imagine how some members might capitalize and others might not. We might even see tags like space, Marines, Adeptus, Astartes, etc. assigned instead, leading to confusion. For example, would the tag space refer to Space Marines, Chaos Space Marines, [outer] space, or some other subject that uses "space" in its name? And then there are the terms that have multiple meanings. A good example of this is Horus Heresy. That term might refer to the actual event, to the setting, to the current tabletop miniature wargame or one of its preceding editions, to the original wargame, to the revised game that Fantasy Flight Games published, to the collectible card game, to the series of books, etc. It has been clear for quite some time that we needed to standardize things, and I've been trying to do that without being overly limiting or oppressive. This involved coming up with guidelines for entering tags, though that would still allow for extensive tagging options. With the upcoming change in Invision 5.0, however, our hand is forced.

 

My original plan was to simply standardize the schema I had been developing. After working through it, however, I realized that would be unworkable. The way the defined tags work is that members are allowed to choose from a list of tags. If we have a list of tags as extensive as the one I originally envisioned, or even a list one-tenth the size that I envisioned, it would rapidly become unusable and tags would become pointless. Moreover, we would be continuously updating the list as GW publishes new games, new editions of games, new (sub)factions, etc.

 

So I had to consider tags as part of an overarching system for content architecture and content discovery. Tags work within an ecosystem that also includes content titles, content descriptions, content types (e.g., discussions, images, articles, etc.), and content location within features (i.e., the categories and subcategories of the respective features, as well as the forums and subforums within the Forums feature). While clicking on a tag will activate a simple use of the search engine, members can perform more advanced searches that include tags, content titles, content types, content authors, etc. Understanding that, I realized that the list of tags could be much smaller. More importantly, tags don't need to duplicate data that can (and should) be captured in those other elements. For example, we don't need a Dark Angels Chapter tag because members can simply enter "Dark Angels" into the search engine to find content related to that Legion/Chapter.

 

Instead of entering any tags you want into a cell, you'll be presented with a drop-down list of the available tags, allowing you to select one or more. You don't have to select any, however. You will see staff members edit tag assignments, however. So if you select one of the tags that is intended for staff usage, we'll probably delete it. We'll add/delete tags to improve content discovery and remove/reduce confusion.

 

The current list is transitional. I am certain that it will be expanded (I have at least three additions in mind as I compose this). For now, the tags available to you are:

• Banner of the Month
• battle report
• community challenge
• force composition
• MUD
• product review
• resource index
• rule question
• rumor
• site announcement
• strategy and tactics

Banner of the Month is one that might disappear. I use that in my [usually] monthly topics about the Banner of the Month and having a tag is very handy. I might force myself to just search for the text string in the content title.

 

battle report is fairly obvious in its meaning. Theoretically, battle reports can be located in the various forums of the ++ STRATEGIUM: RULES AND GAME PLAY ++ category (e.g., a Necromunda battle report would be posted in the + NECROMUNDA + forum, an Aeuronautica Imperialis battle report would be posted in the + EPIC SCALE HORUS HERESY GAMES + forum, a Space Hulk battle report would be posted in the + OTHER GAMES + forum, etc.). However, hobbyists often post their battle reports in the (sub)forums dedicated to the participating (sub)factions. For example, a Warhammer 40,000 battle report featuring the Ultramarines versus Orks might be posted in the + ULTRAMARINES + forum, the + ORKS + forum, or both. Truth be told, the method I prefer is that members create their own blogs and post their battle reports in their blogs, then post outreach topics in the appropriate (sub)forums to draw eyes to those blog entries. We're not going to be heavy-handed here, giving hobbyists the freedom to choose whatever they prefer. Regardless, assigning the battle report tag to all such content will allow members to find it wherever it is.

 

community challenge refers to any of the various contests and challenges that we conduct here, such as the 12 Months of Hobby Challenge 2026 (conducted via the Clubs), the Bunker Bingo 2026 Challenge! (also conducted via the Clubs), and the recent Legio Roll of Honour challenge (conducted via the Forums). This tag can also be used for external contests and challenges.

 

force composition is what we would normally think of as an army list. However, different games have different names for this concept. In Battlefleet Gothic, for example, one uses a fleet registry. A more generalized name makes it usable for any of the various games covered here.

 

MUD is a tag used by the staff (it definitely doesn't mean "Malcador unceremoniously died" ).

 

product review would be used for any type of review of a product such as a miniature, a boxed set, a book, etc.

 

resource index is a tag used by the staff to identify both the resource index topics that appear at the top of many (sub)forums as well as the topics that are linked from those resource topics. We use the resource topics to minimize the number of pinned topics, allowing members to get to the more current topics without having to scroll through dozens or more pinned topics. The topics linked within retain top-of-the-forum visibility and quick accessibility via the links in the resource topics, and the tags help us to readily know when they are in those indices (so we can unarchive them, when necessary).

 

rule question would be used for any discussion in which a member has a question about a rule. Ideally, each discussion will be limited to a single rule and the topic title would include the rule name (where practical), allowing members to (a) focus discussion on that rule, and (b) recognize which rule is being discussed at a glance. There may be times when the interaction between two or more rules is an issue, allowing the interactions between those rules to be discussed in the same topic.

 

rumor should be used for any bonafide rumor (not speculation), including the Rumour Engine (and it's occasional thematic alternative names) that Games Workshop presents at Warhammer Community.

 

site announcement is another tag used by the staff to identify topics like this one, announcing some change or update to the site.

 

strategy and tactics is the tag used for discussions about strategy and tactics on the tabletop (not army/force composition).

 

We're not going to have tags for characters (e.g., Roboute Guilliman, Eldrad Ulthran, etc.), nor are we going to have tags for (sub)factions/organizations (e.g., Ultramarines, Red Corsairs, Legio Furibundus). Similarly, we won't have tags for Black Library authors. We won't have tags for units (e.g., Vindicators, Intercessors, etc.). We're not going to have tags for images, articles, downloads, blogs, etc. since those are content types that are easily selectable in the search engine. And we definitely won't have tags for members (a lot of members have done this in the past, and it made perfect sense at the time).

 

We will almost certainly expand this list. For example, I can see tags identifying that content is about a DIY/homegrown organization as well as tags to identify models, terrain, and gaming boards (or something like that).

 

If you have suggestions, feel free to post them here.