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'.

[Strik3]

I'm using 3.6.8 and I had opened 5 threads (after and before install) with "test test xyz" as topic and if i make a new thread with "test" as topic this text is comming: "No similar topics found. Start your thread and let the users answer your questions."

[andryus]

Work fine , thanks

Installed

[Strik3]

Originally Posted by Strik3

I'm using 3.6.8 and I had opened 5 threads (after and before install) with "test test xyz" as topic and if i make a new thread with "test" as topic this text is comming: "No similar topics found. Start your thread and let the users answer your questions."

anyone?

[NolF]

if u are not using the scripted called "jquery-1.1.3.1.pack.js"
go to the tamplate called "mrnasesimilarthreadcheck_header", find the script name (is easy) and change that name to the one you have uploaded in your clientscript folder (it works ^^)

I was wondering how server intensive this mod is. Because it essentially works as a ajax search (or that's the impresion I get) :S If the forum is medium/large size it could be bad... dunno. How bad could it be?
I personally would use it a search function... so I guess my users would too, that's why I'm asking. I know it's not ment to be used that way... but if I thought of that I know they will too

Thx mate, and is a very very good mod... should help me prevent lazy guys from posting the same thing over and over again, or at least make them use meaningful titles :P

[SCRIPT3R]

Very interesting; Will install again when this is actively supported. I noticed that author ignoring help requests which is a bad sign IMO.

[mad@Max]

Problem:

Fatal error: Cannot redeclare class vb_xml_builder in /home/samforum/domains/samforum.ws/public_html/includes/visionscripts/psionic_hide/ajax_complete.php on line 15

How fix it?

[FireFish]

Originally Posted by Smoothie

Installed but, nothing in the setting for me either........

The trick: Go to your VB Settings & select SHOW ALL.
Using your browser's Find feature, search similar.

Boom; you're golden.

[skippybosco]

For the folks having issues with not getting any results back:

1. Are you using full text or VBulletin as your search engine? If you are using full text, does it work if you switch to VBulletin
2. Have you tried rebuilding your search index?

I had the problem of not returning any results on my sandbox installation, switched to VBuleetin and rebuilt the search index and all worked well after that.

Let me know if it works for you!

[Baitona]

Hi
it is wounder full script, many thanks

I just want to say that I had a difficult time to get it working,
I have activated the plugin, but still nothing was showing the new thread

I kept trying, until i figured out that it must be some sort of conflict with other pluin/ hack!!
and yes indeed, it was:

in my case it was a conflict with the @(Template Compressor)

if you use the plugin Template Compressor, you have to uncompress the templates and then add the following to be ignore list for the (Template Compressor plugin) :

mrnasesimilarthreadcheck_main newthread

and then it should work

p.s
i said in my case, you may have another case if it still did not show up

Baitona

[Saviour]

Nice mod! Really...

Installed and apparently working just fine on 3.6.8 PL2...using the Avant Browser. Just thought you should know.

Great job with this...nominated!