List of tag merge requests (Dec 2012)

Question

Merge:

• merge php-ini x2 => php.ini 10x
• merge autofill x1 => auto-form-fill 3x
• merge dos 2x => ms-dos 91x (checked their posts. They mean ms-dos)
• synonym mainboard 2x => motherboard 954x

Split:

• split boot-repair 1x => boot 2065x + repair 242x
• split windows-boot 1x => boot 2065x + windows 15955x

Remove:

• remove fdl 1x => has different meanings (abbreviation for at least 16 different names)
• remove metax 1x => has different meanings (there are several firms and product names with metax)
• remove system-settings 1x => too general
• remove identity 1x => too general

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I just learned that there is an periodically cleaned up of unused tags.

Some questions

• I assume the periodically cleaned up is done through a scheduled task.
  If so, what period is used?

• Are unused tags removed when all related questions are migrated to other sites? Like heimdall

• Are unused tags removed when all related questions are closed?
  Like sql-schema-compare custom-rom geofences xkcd dual-gpu donate

• Is there a guiding principle for when to merge tags and when to use it as synonym?

• is there an intended place where I should post tag merge & split suggestions?
  Unfortunately Super User mid 2012 tag/question cleanup is closed

• How can I search for tags used only once and sort them by time to find very old and unnecessary tags? That would be great (these search tips don't help)

Answer 1

I assume the periodically cleaned up is done through a scheduled task. If so, what period is used?

From Jeff: I've implemented a routine that removes tags created more than 6 months ago which have been used only a single time. It will run monthly.

So, either nuke bad tags once you see them—10k users can do that from the stats page in the tools—or just browse the tags page in the reverse order.

Are unused tags removed when all related questions are migrated to other sites?

Yes, since migration stubs are removed if IIRC.

Are unused tags removed when all related questions are closed?

No, since closed questions can be reopened. Unless there's only one question tagged with it.

Is there a guiding principle for when to merge tags and when to use it as synonym?

We usually merge after synonymizing. Actually, the fact that you can have synonyms without a merge stems from the possibility to suggest synonyms, which can be community-approved. However, only moderators can actually perform a merge.

Answer 2

This second part is based on a Query on data.stackexchange.com
Query: Superuser tags only used once - sorted by creation time

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All these tags are created prior 01.01.2012 and thus far only the creator uses the tag.
Since they are older than 6 months, I vote for removing them manually.

harmony 2009-08-15
ipx 2009-09-17
nexus-one 2010-01-19
browser-helper-objects 2010-05-28
process-monitor 2010-11-17
euler 2010-12-19
apt-on-cd 2010-12-24
vector-linux 2011-03-21
earth 2011-04-07
dma 2011-10-26
rbash 2011-12-03

From Jeff: I've implemented a routine that removes tags created more than 6 months ago which have been used only a single time. It will run monthly.

Hm, I'm curious. Why hasn't this routine caught the tags from above? Of course it may be that a second question (using this tag) was retagged during the last month and it will get cleaned up on the next run.

Or they are nasty little tags creeping deep inside the database and will someday get admin privileges. :P