One of the top two priorities of TMD for me is providing a place where new players can learn about the format. One thing TMD did not do well before was clearly direct new users to threads that are important, rather than just recent.
"Unread" Page
Minor change, here, I replaced the little-used drop down menus on the "Unread Topics" page with a "Clear Selected" and "Clear All" button. Should save you some clicking and make the UI cleaner on Mobile.
Tag overhual
Tags are now being used in a more structured way. Some tags will apply specific behavior to their topics, which will let users navigate the site in new ways. While users could also filter by selecting a tag, I added logic that lets me style specifically tagged pages to be styled differently, and grouped into their own subcategories
Archetype Threads
Major vintage archetypes are going to be given their own topic. The top-level post of that topic will be a light, intro-level explanation of the deck, and the content will be a catch-all "megathread", like used on MtgTheSource.
New topics relating to that archetype can still be made outside of the main thread, if desired (e.g. tournament reports, variant builds). Every archetype thread will have a corresponding metadata tag (e.g. mentor). Adding that tag will add a navigation banner to the top of your post which will allow you quickly see other threads about the same deck. The archetype-specific tags are public and can be used by anyone in any thread they think is appropriate
Archetype is a reserved tag, and shouldn't be added to threads that haven't been approved (ask for approval in TheManaDrain Metadiscussion)
Decks to Beat
Deckst to Beat are a subset of Archetype threads,
Decks to Beat is a reserved tag, and shouldn't be added to threads that haven't been approved (ask for approval in TheManaDrain Metadiscussion)
Deck Techs
Deck Tech threads are higher quality posts intended to teach someone about a particular list. A top-level filter on the strategy page will allow new players to quickly see all Deck Tech threads.
unlike Archetype/Deck to Beat, Deck Tech is a public tag and you're encouraged to use it when appropriate.
As Always ...
If you notice any bugs or strange behavior please let me know! If you find the change unhelpful or difficult to use, please let me know! (though a reminder, the primary audience for this change is new players)
This thread (the one you're reading now), or a new thread in the Metadiscussion board, is the correct place to ask questions about the new system, which tags to use, which threads deserve tags and which decks deserve to be a Deck to Beat.
Discussion in the Strategy board should stick to ... you know ... strategy.
A more complete description in a new sticky here: http://themanadrain.com/topic/1398/
