Couple of basic points …
1 - @stobot I VERY much appreciate your ability to consider the naive newbie user. I DO think it is a central issue whether the TW LINKS thing works to better address, often transient (potential), end-user’s concerns/agendas? Does it?
Does it assist them match “my wiki needs” currently, well? That is a question.
2 - Replicating, i.e. pretending to be, a new user, I come across the MESS of “TOPICS” with MULTIPLE REDUNDANCIES (Topics: links.tiddlywiki.com — TiddlyWiki community links). It is way longer than any healthy list should be. IMO, since tags will be a PRIMARY GATEWAY for NAVIGATING INTEREST, I’d guess that making the tags far LESS MESSY would do a lot to improve experience for naive browsers!!
FYI, @stobot, I will write elsewhere more precisely about issue (2).
My MAIN point was merely to wave in your direction for being able to maintain a “simple end-user perspective” in the midst of immense complexity. I think the questions you are asking are invaluable!
Best wishes
TT