Hierarchies still suck for two reasons.
First, we’ve got the problem where items can usually only be in one place in the hierarchy at a time. Some systems allow them to be in multiple places in the hierarchy, but that usually just makes the system more complicated. Hard linking is an example of items being in multiple places in the hierarchy.
Second, and more importantly, hierarchies provide forced taxonomies that are hard to modify. When you have two tags that you’d like to associate with something, which one goes before the other in the hierarchial chain? Once you decide, you can’t reverse it easilly.
Viva la tags!
I also suggest that tagging not use a locked in list of tags to use, and instead use space seperated tags entered into a text box. If a user wants to use a new tag, they simply start using it. No going into preferences, adding a new tag, and then using it. That’s just unneccicary.
Tags! Tags! Tags!
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