Similar Threads when posting

**RedGTiVR6** · 12-04-2007, 06:24 PM

Some of you may have already noticed this...

Figured it would help direct newbies to search in a subtle way.

Let me know your thoughts....

**Sal R.** · 12-04-2007, 06:32 PM

Personally, I prefer to repond with a search criteria that would yield some kind of result to get them started or just answer the question directly rather than directly pointing out a similar thread.

In my opinion, linking the similar thread means you've done the searching for them and teaches the newbie very little in terms of forum ettiquette.

**h3rk** · 12-04-2007, 06:39 PM

How does it work, does it use the title as a search term? If so it further shows the need to spell correctly, and use properly descriptive titles other than "help please" or "my new idea about carputers". Maybe a new 'keywords' field. But that doesn't help with existing posts. Unless someone goes and adds them.

I see where it says, "Notice: When you enter a thread title the system will search for similar threads which have already been posted. That should help you to find answers."
under title on a new thread page. But I'm not sure that's strong enough of a statement (maybe larger font and bold too).

How about,"The system will use the thread title to provide links in other threads, please be sure to use descriptive words in the title, rather than:"
I know it says that somewhere else, but this might also be a good place to say it"

Good idea, but looking at some threads I'm familiar with... I'd say it's 'ok' at this point.

**2k1Toaster** · 12-04-2007, 07:12 PM

Ironically I thought this was brought up a while ago in a different thread and voted down?

**h3rk** · 12-04-2007, 07:13 PM

Maybe you can look through the 'similar threads' section to find it

**2k1Toaster** · 12-04-2007, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by h3rk

Maybe you can look through the 'similar threads' section to find it

Yeah that is exactly why I opposed it before on a "title string search" only functionality.

For instance this thread is related to:
Infraction for bankingdom: Classified Posting Violation I
Infraction for Transamsfast: Classified Posting Violation I
Searching through Subscribed threads
Why I Shouldn't I Create Duplicate Threads??
has anyone made something similar to the Empeg RIO player

#4 is a good match. But it apparently is outranked by 2 Classified Posting violations.

Almost all the times though it gives me nonsense garbly gook...

**DarquePervert** · 12-04-2007, 07:48 PM

If the mod forums could be excluded from the search, it might yield more accurate results.

By that logic, keeping OT & DOT out of the mix would be a good idea, too.
Dunno if that's even a possiblity.

**h3rk** · 12-04-2007, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by DarquePervert

If the mod forums could be excluded from the search, it might yield more accurate results.

By that logic, keeping OT & DOT out of the mix would be a good idea, too.
Dunno if that's even a possiblity.

Lucky for me, I don't see those.

OT could be 'useful' if it functions only in OT threads.

What about a word-count method in the cumulative message area of a thread. Something like a database that is created that keeps score of keywords in a thread, which could be referenced and queried (generated each time would be bad) each time a thread is opened.

**2k1Toaster** · 12-04-2007, 07:59 PM

I knew I wasn't crazy...

Look at post #6: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/sugg...w-one-mod.html

and that was before mod status. It was just as useless then as it is now...