What is a tag when searching?
 

I want to search for an item and it asks for a "tag". As far as I know I do not have a tag for myself alone. Help

I would like to know, too.

It's a descriptive keyword, used in search engines.

Go to the home page and scroll down to user defined topic lists and tags to find all the tags currently in use.

I had to research this question a bit before having the slightest idea what tags are or how to use them. And now I STILL have questions.

When you start a new thread, you can add tags to it. You might tag it as "log cabin" or "vintage machine" or whatever you like. You can also search for all threads with a given tag. However, you can also leave that field blank. I don't think most of us are using this feature, because we don't know about it. My question is whether there's any way for the OP to apply tags to a thread after the thread has been posted.

Well, I just added "tag" as a tag to this thread and it works. Scroll down the page where the replies are posted until you see a little blue button that says Add/Edit Tags. Anyone can add one. I see total chaos in our future.

I left the space blank and it did not search, typed in "tag" and it did not search. There is no way to add the little cute things we call tags. What am I doing wrong?

Try searching using one of the tabs in the tag cloud. But make sure to tell it what to search. Try all types (or something like that). Not all users have the security to add a tag to the tag cloud, so you might want to ask Patrice.

Tags are just a way to search. You could also use keywords.

?????????? tag cloud
 

What is and how does one get to the "tag cloud"? There are post Icons below here but not on the search page.

Tags are a collection of keywords.
they replace what we used to call "User Defined Sections".
using them is a bit cumbersome.
I haven't had time yet to write a guide.
I wish I could tell you I'd do that today, but the truth is that it's going to be a while yet.

The important things to know right now:

If you click on "View Tag Cloud" at the bottom of the page in a thread you can access the list of existing tags.
If you click on one of the tags you will be shown a list of all threads that have been "tagged" with that word or phrase.
It does not replace the general search engine.

To do a general or advanced search, use the Search link found at the top of every page.