i think i'll sum up what i think i've learned to put an end to this lengthy thread. i want to thank you, esp. Mark Risman.
the original problem is that we created a branch, a subsequent tag, and when i checked out the tag i couldn't commit changes because the files were sticky. what i have deduced is that when you create a branch, you have to stay in that branch to do edits and commits. then of course you can tag, but when you check out the tag, you have sticky files and can't commit. so a tag of the branch creates a static snapshot. before, in linear development, you could check out the latest tag and work on it. this was the big difference for me to learn. it helps to get to know the revision number schemes, to understand revision numbers and tag numbers. and more, that is still sinking in. lee
