Checking before posting

[The One]

I saw this feature on a vBulletin board and it is quite useful.
When someone tries to post a new topic there is a button just under the subject box saying "Click Here to Find Similar Threads" which on clicking searches the forum usign the subject that we typed. This avoids (to an extent) posting the same question again.
Seems kind of nifty and not too hard to incorporate.

[klumy]

good idea

[anunlike]

Sounds like a good idea to me too.

[DrDom]

This sounds like a good idea, the only thing i can think of is that people phrase topic titles and questions differently sometimes, depending on the language they speak, which could cause topics to be missed at times.
Overall i think it could possibly reduce the amount of topics asking the same question over and over.

[Thantos]

I'm sorry but how is this any different then just searching before posting?  This won't stop people from posting topics that are already answered since they won't use the option anyways.

It actually wouldn't be that hard to do as a mod or simple theme modification.

Add

<a href="#" onclick="return findSimilar(documents.forms.postmodify.subject)">Find Similar</a>


and


<script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript"><!-- // --><![CDATA[
function findSimilar(str)
{
return reqWin("', $scripturl, '?action=search2;search=" + str, 400, 300);
}
// ]]></script>


Untested btw

[DrDom]

I'm sorry but how is this any different then just searching before posting? 

As i stated above, the only thing i can think of is that people phrase topic titles and questions differently sometimes, depending on the language they speak, and this would also apply to the search function as well, so would have the same problem of missing topics/posts.
I must agree thats it not that much different from searching first, but anything to help reduce the same questions being asked a thousand times.

[Thantos]

The thing is the people who would use an option like this already search before posting.  So I don't really see this as being too helpful.  Its mod worthy but IMO not feature worthy.

[anunlike]

I don't know, I tend to think that if there's a more convenient way of doing the same thing, then that would be used much more than just a search feature. I mean, if there's a quick link in a place that's convenient, it'll be used much more often than just the search feature, which basically means you have to go out of your way to do the same thing, as opposed to just clicking a link.

[The One]

I'm sorry but how is this any different then just searching before posting?  This won't stop people from posting topics that are already answered since they won't use the option anyways.

It is more user-friendly and convenient than going and searchine before posting.
You could force the search first by enabling the textarea that allows posting only after the search. but it would just be better if we have this option so that regular users find it more easy.

[H]

Interesting idea but of the vB forum I have seen with this addon most of the topics it suggests are totally irrelevant

[The One]

So we make it better 

[Enc0der]

It is more user-friendly and convenient than going and searchine before posting.

definitely.

The only problem I see is stupid users who writes "help!!!!!!111" on the subject.. 

[Dannii]

I agree that people who won't search before, won't use this now. I've never found it useful in vB. Of course, you are all free to make a mod for it

[The One]

The only problem I see is stupid users who writes "help!!!!!!111" on the subject.. 

Don't think this user would even notice the "search" button there.
Anyone done this as a mod so far?