New Posting Features - [Ajax] Check for similar thread before posting a new one

You love the 'similar threads' function and you are sick of duplicate threads just because your users don't use the search function?

Why not just combine them?

This Add-on will grab the thread title the user typed in and it will load a small box (using Ajax magic ) with 5 similar threads just like the 'similar threads' function that you can normally find under an already posted thread.

The box also tells the user to search through the similar threads first BEFORE starting a new one.


Features:
- no edits whatsoever needed, just import the product file, enable the Add-on and it works (well, it should )
- you can turn it off for certain forums or
- you can turn it off completely without leaving any code that messes your templates/files
- it can be translated
- don't like it anymore? Remove the product and you'll never see that Add-on again


Known issues:
- none


Things to consider:
It uses jQuery to get the information from ajax.php. jQuery is great and you can do many great things with it and unlike the vBulletin method it's quite easy to understand.
The jQuery file is compressed and only 20kb large.
To download the file, visit the homepage at http://jquery.com/
The link to download the file is on the right hand side.

Here's the version I use: http://code.google.com/p/jqueryjs/do....1.3.1.pack.js

Just download it and put it into the 'clientscript' folder without renaming the file.


Installation:
Download jQuery as described above.
Import the attached file using the Product Manager. Go to your vBulletin settings and search for 'Check for similar threads?'. Enable it.


Important:
It adds 2 new templates, it changes 1 template and it edits 2 files. I highly doubt that it will break you vBulletin but do a back-up and be on the safe side.



Version history:
1. initial release
2. current release
*** fixed some browser issues. The attached file is up to date.





How to fix the Opera problems in the first release:
The first release of this Add-on didn't work on Opera. To fix the problems, please follow these steps:
Open the template 'mrnasesimilarthreadcheck_header' and REPLACE the content with this code:

    <script type="text/javascript" src="clientscript/jquery-1.1.3.1.pack.js"></script>
    <script type="text/javascript">
        $(function(){
            $("#inputthreadtitle").bind("blur", function(){
                var value =$(this).val(); 
                $('td#similarthreadcheckcontent').html('<img src="$stylevar[imgdir_misc]/13x13progress.gif" />');
                $.ajax({
                    type: "GET",
                    url: "ajax.php",
                    data: "do=getsimilarthreads&title="+value,
                    success: function(msg){
                        $('td#similarthreadcheckcontent').html(msg);
                         }
                });
            });
        });
    </script>

The attached file is up to date.


Support will only given to those who have clicked 'install'.

[fly2hi]

not working for me ie6

[BadgerDog]

Originally Posted by MrNase

Yes! It uses the same functions vBulletin uses to display the normal similar threads. It even pays attention to the global ignore (better known as Send Someone to Coventry) setting.

Thanks ...

Is it possible to make the display box of similar threads wider somehow? On our sustem, the date/time part of the post line is all "scrunched" up and compressed under itself. Another inch or so and it would display better.

Also, my AdminCP looks like this in the area where you mod is activated:

Check for similar threads?
Activates the search for similar threads. Yes No

Edithistory::Show images
Show Images by viewing a Edithistory ? Yes No

Check for similar threads? - Disable for certain forums
Enter the IDs of the forums where you don't want the similar thread check to be enabled.
Enter the IDs seperated with spaces (example: 1 12 54).

Show in Archive Style ?
Should bbCodes (Quote, php, html, code) be shown in the Archive Style ? (For a better overview) Yes No

Versions per page
Here you can enter the number of Versions to be shown on 1 page.

I assume that the ones in italics are the ONLY settings applicable to your mod?

Thanks again.... :up:

Regards,
Badger

[Videx]

Looks good, but please fix the instructions to make finding that option easier. I mean, one shouldn't have to search for 15 minutes and read 20 posts to figure it out.

[rrr]

is there any way to make this usergroup specific?

That way members with 1000 posts in a specific usergroup don't need to see it when they post a new thread, and new members in a specific usergroup see it all the time.

Seems like a great tool to help new users find answers without having to wait for responses to a thread that may be a duplicate of one that already exists.

[fox3nova]

when I install this mod, I cant find the option in admincp.
Is it normal ?

[MrNase]

Originally Posted by Videx

Looks good, but please fix the instructions to make finding that option easier.

The instructions say 'Go to your vBulletin settings and search for 'Check for similar threads?' The browser inline search does a good job on this.

Originally Posted by rrr

is there any way to make this usergroup specific?

That way members with 1000 posts in a specific usergroup don't need to see it when they post a new thread, and new members in a specific usergroup see it all the time.

I have no plans to do that, sorry. But I highly doubt that it will be complicated to add.

Originally Posted by fox3nova

when I install this mod, I cant find the option in admincp.
Is it normal ?

It's hidden under 'message posting and editing options'.
The settings are called 'Check for similar threads?' and'Check for similar threads? - Disable for certain forums'

[fox3nova]

Originally Posted by MrNase

It's hidden under 'message posting and editing options'.

Ok! I found it , it really a good mod. I love it , thank you!

[bashy]

HI

Working fine now for me thanks

[MrNase]

Originally Posted by bashy

HI

Working fine now for me thanks

Willing to share what the problem was? Maybe it helps me to improve the next release.

[bashy]

Conflict with the manual "already posted check" hack i had installed, I removed the older 1 and it works fine now, thanks!!