Sovereign
09-04-2009, 09:18 PM
I'm wondering if a "post-catcher" exists that might be able to cut down on redundant posts or posts in the wrong forum which all use similar phrases. For example, you run a computer hobbyist site. You are receiving many questions about "Why doesn't all 4GB of my RAM show up?" The answer is because of a 32-bit system limitation, but even with a sticky at the top many users post the same question anyway.
What I'm looking for is a mod that would either do it on-the-fly (the way some support sites do) or intercept after the post was sent but before it appeared on the forum.
On-the-fly example: http://www.itsth.com/en/kontakt/contactform.php. To see what I mean, please select "Easy2Sync for Outlook" as the product, Question about Software under "How can we help you?" and paste "I am having problems syncing distribution lists." in the "Please tell us more" section. You'll see a green box appear like this:
This might help you:
? Easy2Sync for Outlook (2.07 or higher) can synchronize distribution lists. Simply activate this feature in the task properties under "Exceptions > Type".
I had the exact problem I'm describing here with this product (not knowing the feature existed or where it was located). But, because the help system automatically recognized what I was asking and told me the solution, I ended up not contacting support. In the same way, if such a system were to exist for vBulletin, I feel it might cut down on redundant posts without being mean to newcomers or letting so-called "forum veterans" blast said newcomers.
In the case that this is not possible, does a modification exist which would check the post after the user hits the "Post" button but before the post is displayed? I know vBulletin can intercept posts (for example, "You must wait X seconds between posts"), but can a word or phrase filter be applied which would redirect the user somewhere?
In my above example about computer memory, let's say Joe Newbie writes a thread called "Where's my RAM" and types in the box "I installed 4GB of RAM but it's not showing up, why is that?" The mod, having been customized by admins to recognize the phrase "4GB" and "not showing up" would, after Joe Newbie presses Post, redirect him to a page that says "It looks like you're asking about a topic that is addressed in this thread. Please click here to read the thread." Of course, there would be an override option at the bottom, a check box that says "I swear, this wasn't answered in the thread!" I know that would give some people an out, but with most people who just don't know how to use a forum (yes, they exist), I think they'd appreciate the tip.
It would also be nice for the system to be able to catch certain items and suggest you post it in a different forum. For example, if you have an online game in which people can "invite" other users, but you are sick of "invite" links being posted in the "Chat" forum instead of the dedicated "Add Me" forum, you could catch all posts with links like www.myonlinerpg.com/profile.php?action=invitefromuser and suggest the person post in the correct forum.
I know that's a mouthful, but I don't even know what to search for...(I did "post catcher," "redundant topic" and "post interceptor.")
What I'm looking for is a mod that would either do it on-the-fly (the way some support sites do) or intercept after the post was sent but before it appeared on the forum.
On-the-fly example: http://www.itsth.com/en/kontakt/contactform.php. To see what I mean, please select "Easy2Sync for Outlook" as the product, Question about Software under "How can we help you?" and paste "I am having problems syncing distribution lists." in the "Please tell us more" section. You'll see a green box appear like this:
This might help you:
? Easy2Sync for Outlook (2.07 or higher) can synchronize distribution lists. Simply activate this feature in the task properties under "Exceptions > Type".
I had the exact problem I'm describing here with this product (not knowing the feature existed or where it was located). But, because the help system automatically recognized what I was asking and told me the solution, I ended up not contacting support. In the same way, if such a system were to exist for vBulletin, I feel it might cut down on redundant posts without being mean to newcomers or letting so-called "forum veterans" blast said newcomers.
In the case that this is not possible, does a modification exist which would check the post after the user hits the "Post" button but before the post is displayed? I know vBulletin can intercept posts (for example, "You must wait X seconds between posts"), but can a word or phrase filter be applied which would redirect the user somewhere?
In my above example about computer memory, let's say Joe Newbie writes a thread called "Where's my RAM" and types in the box "I installed 4GB of RAM but it's not showing up, why is that?" The mod, having been customized by admins to recognize the phrase "4GB" and "not showing up" would, after Joe Newbie presses Post, redirect him to a page that says "It looks like you're asking about a topic that is addressed in this thread. Please click here to read the thread." Of course, there would be an override option at the bottom, a check box that says "I swear, this wasn't answered in the thread!" I know that would give some people an out, but with most people who just don't know how to use a forum (yes, they exist), I think they'd appreciate the tip.
It would also be nice for the system to be able to catch certain items and suggest you post it in a different forum. For example, if you have an online game in which people can "invite" other users, but you are sick of "invite" links being posted in the "Chat" forum instead of the dedicated "Add Me" forum, you could catch all posts with links like www.myonlinerpg.com/profile.php?action=invitefromuser and suggest the person post in the correct forum.
I know that's a mouthful, but I don't even know what to search for...(I did "post catcher," "redundant topic" and "post interceptor.")