Idea!

  • Thread starter Thread starter CodeRedR51
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CodeRedR51

CodeRedR51

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I recently joined a forum for Chevrolet Cobalt owners, and that forum has a nice feature that I think would work really well here at GTPlanet if the software is available.

Basically, when you click on the "New Thread" button, while you are typing in the title of your thread, a box will appear at the top like an instant search. It contains threads that already exist using key words from your thread title. This helps to limit the amount of duplicate threads.

Possible to implement this feature?

Here's what I'm talking about:

threadsearch.jpg
 
I have seen that on other forums. I recon it would help (though not much) with the duplicated threads in the GT5 forum.
 
That would be an awesome idea actually, if we would be able to do it. Maybe GTP11?
 
I'd fathom a guess that it would maybe create a bit more load on the server?

But for the fact that so many repeat topics would possibly not get posted, its not the worst idea. :)
 
I've found that using a search engine and putting GTPlanet on the end of the search brings up better results than the search feature on the site.
 
I like it, as others have said it would help reduce the number of repeat topics. (especially in the GT5 forum)
 
From my (rather poor) memory, searching is the most intensive thing that happens here, so having something like this might put too much load on the server though.
It would be nice, but maybe unfeasible.
 
Don't like it. It would just annoy the majority of members that have searched properly in the first place.
 
daan
Don't like it. It would just annoy the majority of members that have searched properly in the first place.
Click to expand...

I've been searching for certain threads using the advance search box at the top right of the page for a while. But, this would be a nice little handy tool for quicker thread search, and it will definitely cut down the amount of duplicate threads, especially by new members. This new search box will give them more notice to search before creating a thread possibly similar to an existing one.
 
daan
Don't like it. It would just annoy the majority of members that have searched properly in the first place.
Click to expand...

Still, it can be useful to prevent duplicates into entering the forums, esp. being widespread to new members. Besides, it can be implemented as an option. If a member doesn't like the quick thread search, they could turn it off or limit it to a prompt that says "They are <number of similar threads here> threads similar to this one. Click this bar for the list of them." (clicking on it either opens a new tab or a new window). However at default it is left on when a new member comes in.
 
We've got this on over on FiatForum and the drop in duplicate threads from new members has been significant. Huge, in fact. But it does put a fair strain on the server and probably wouldn't be as effective on forums of this size.
 
Yes, it is a great feature (you'll notice similar functionality is available in the Feedback section), but it's powered by a plugin that hasn't been updated in several years and the code hasn't been optimized for such a large database. It's not something I'd feel comfortable running here, unfortunately.
 
Unoptimized coding can mean many things, inadequate server stress being one of them I would believe.
 
What if it became optional after you have x posts and have been here for x months.
Similar to the user title.
That would mean fewer people would use it, and those that have survived long enough know better to use the search function.
 
R1600Turbo
What kind of problems would you run into with the coding?
Click to expand...
It doesn't make use of caching and was written with older versions of vBulletin in mind.

That's the problem with free "plugins" for web software - they're generally poorly written, introduce security holes, hinder performance, break other things in unusual ways that are extremely difficult to troubleshoot, make core software upgrades painful (or impossible), and are usually abandoned by their authors after a year or so (as was this one). I generally avoid them unless they're simple enough to maintain or write myself.
 

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