fyi- "Similar Thread" search results system has been enabled

[Sean]

Hi All,

As discussed here: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

I have implemented this system. It should help cut down on certain topics that are repeatedly posted. It is visible in two areas:

1) When creating a new thread, if keywords in the title are a hit you will get results (most recent 5 results) here is an example:

2) The similar threads will also be listed under the quick reply box on the thread page as seen here:

A couple of things to be aware of. This is based on title only, not thread content. That's not a perfect solution but it does seem to pick up a decent amount of material. This is based on forum only, so when creating a new thread in the Darkroom forum it looks up similar threads in that forum only. The results are limited to the 5 most recent (if you think this should be increased I am open to suggestions). Lastly, if no keywords are found then no results appear.

If you run into any problems let me know. Thanks!

Sean

 

[TheToadMen]

I like both features!

 

[pdeeh]

It probably needs some tuning.
See attached.

These results wouldn't help the newcomer that annoys a small handful of members

 

[Sean]

It probably needs some tuning.
See attached.
View attachment 176433
These results wouldn't help the newcomer that annoys a small handful of members

It's a mixed bag, some things will get a hit and some will not. For example 3rd one down:

Until we get some sophisticated A.I. it's likely the best we can do.

 

[Ian Grant]

I think it's going to be helpful. Thanks Sean.

Ian

 

[TheToadMen]

I really like the "Similar Threads" shown at the bottom. Nice to browse through related items.

 

[MattKing]

I too like the results.
We need to hear though from someone with less familiarity with the site.
And it does accentuate the importance of having threads in the right sub-forum.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Great idea and implementation.

 

[RPC]

It will help remind the newcomer (or anyone) of the fact that there is much more information available on this site (15 years worth!) than what is being posted now.

 

[Julie McLeod]

@Sean -

I find the results a little strange. As an example, when I perform a search within the Darkroom Equipment sub-forum for the terms "how to clean lens fungus" with "search this forum only", I get "no results found". If I then decide to start a thread using the failed search terms as the title, it returns five suggested threads. Seems like they ought to be the same.

 

[BrianShaw]

Bravo! These secondary searches are bever perfect (and sometimes not even correct) but the have lead me down useful paths I otherwise would not have explored.

 

[Sean]

@Sean -

I find the results a little strange. As an example, when I perform a search within the Darkroom Equipment sub-forum for the terms "how to clean lens fungus" with "search this forum only", I get "no results found". If I then decide to start a thread using the failed search terms as the title, it returns five suggested threads. Seems like they ought to be the same.

It does appear that way. From what I can tell "how to clean lens fungus" returns no results in that forum, but the similar threads defaults to whatever words it can find. I'll investigate..

 

[StoneNYC]

Sean, I'm loving this feature, it works great for me, I love that it also works for you when you begin to post a NEW post with info on older similar posts, I think this will also cut down on the overflow of repeated questions. Great job!