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'.

[leroub]

Originally Posted by johnbmtl

Works fine.
But had to use the version of jQuery that you used and not the latest one.

This is a great mod!
Thanks!

I used a "jquery-1.1.3.1.pack.js" and "jquery-1.2.1.pack.js"... and the same result.....

[jschvili]

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!

For all you folks that doesn't get any search result. THIS is the man. Follow his recommendation. It took me all night. Skippybosco gave me peace. THANKS!

[Kent100]

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

Hallo, und danke f?r den Hack, der ist sehr gut und wichtig.:up:
aber irgendwie l?uft er bei mir nicht so richtig, findet also keine ?hnliche Threads.
wie soll ich jquery-1.1.3.1.pack.js benennen? Vielleicht liegt es da dranne?
Oder weil mein Board nicht auf englisch bzw. deutsch ist? -> sweta.mobi
Danke.
mfg Kent

[mystic10]

this is proably the dumest question anyone will ask but i dont see simplar thread in options ..i placed jquery in clientscrip and upload the file thru admin panel but no show..i dont know what iam doing wrong pleae guide

[rwoscott]

Originally Posted by mystic10

this is proably the dumest question anyone will ask but i dont see simplar thread in options ..i placed jquery in clientscrip and upload the file thru admin panel but no show..i dont know what iam doing wrong pleae guide

You may have to Rebuild Similar Threads.

Admincp>Maintenance>Update Counters>>>Rebuild Similar Threads.

This can take a while depending on the size of your forum.

[mystic10]

another dumb question: i did rebuid similar thread still no show how come

[rwoscott]

Originally Posted by mystic10

another dumb question: i did rebuid similar thread still no show how come

In admincp>Vb options>Message Posting and Editing Options

there are 2 qns.
"Check for similar threads?" and "Check for similar threads? - Disable for certain forums"

Enable the first, and enter any forum Id's you want excluded.

[mystic10]

Thank U Thank U Thank U Thank U Thank U...i Cant Thanks U Enough I Was Going Crazy Looking For Similar Thread In The Option...maybe The Author Can Add This Part That Way Less Confusion For People Like Me

[rwoscott]

Originally Posted by mystic10

Thank U Thank U Thank U Thank U Thank U...i Cant Thanks U Enough I Was Going Crazy Looking For Similar Thread In The Option...maybe The Author Can Add This Part That Way Less Confusion For People Like Me

No probs.

BtW

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.

It is already in the instructions.

[neopet001]

does it cause server overload with the ajax?