Similar threads

[mudsocks]

About two weeks ago I enabled the Similar Threads feature of vbulletin. Some of you may have already noticed that new threads will display up to four weighted links at the bottom of each new thread. As the name suggests the topics link to threads of similar content. Please note that older threads (prior to ~October 17th) will not have the similar threads links. Yet.

I'd like to hear everyone's feedback. Please post your thoughts.

[SilvrSurfr]

Looking below at Similar Threads, I see a thread I started 7/14/13 that I don't think is very similar to this thread (other than having the word "thread" in the title). Is the algorithm just guessing based on titles?

[mudsocks]

I haven't looked at the algorithm so I can't comment on how it derives matches. I can tell you that the links are recalculated as new posts are made to each thread. In theory the more active the thread the better the results. There probably aren't many threads similar to this one so it stands to reason the results won't be fantastic on this particular thread.

[hk2001]

I've found them marginally useful when it comes to the marketplace.. Honestly, I've not tried them anywhere else on the forums.. but will now :)

[OutandBack]

I have not used it yet but I would think it would help a new members wanting to do research on a specific topic.
We all know how fun (not) website search engines are.

I want to play with it before voting.

[The Tree Frog]

I think it's a good idea. Even if the results of your poll don't prove to be all positive, it doesn't hurt, right?

To be honest, I saw them below posts I've read, but didn't focus too much attention on them. I think if I was actually searching out an answer, and if the algorithm provided similar links, I would use them. More often, I am just joining in conversations I find interesting or that I have something to say. Again, they will be most helpful to people looking for info on specific topics.

[VictoriaGuy]

I have not used it yet but I would think it would help a new members wanting to do research on a specific topic.
I agree..once older posts are included in the suggestions. However, if the algorithm is using the same engine as the vbulletin search, the suggestions may not be 'on topic', much. Time will tell, I guess.


We all know how fun (not) website search engines are.

OT:
These days, I use Google with the 'site:' feature...it works better.
Try searching here for "sewing machine" and compare the results to what you get with the Google search string:
site:hammockforums.net "sewing machine"

[The Old Boot]

It's available on another forum that I am part of.

I find incredibly useful for research there. But then the things I'm looking for there are more of a technical use so when I'm looking for a solution to a problem the 'similar threads' link has helped me find info that is of value.

Only time will tell if the feature will be of use here..probably more so in sections like the DIY than anything else.

[sargevining]

Now that I know where they are, I find them very useful.

ETA:

Perhaps you can make that a choice in the poll.

[michigandave]

I noticed them the other day and have begun to start using them. Nice touch! How about something referencing the change in the "news & announcements" section on the homepage to remind us?

Thanks Octo for all the hard work you put into this place.

[Ewker]

the similar threads listed below don't have anything in common with this. two of them are talking about thread for sewing :confused:

[mudsocks]

I noticed them the other day and have begun to start using them. Nice touch! How about something referencing the change in the "news & announcements" section on the homepage to remind us?

Thanks Octo for all the hard work you put into this place.

Thanks for the thanks.


the similar threads listed below don't have anything in common with this. two of them are talking about thread for sewing :confused:

I'm rebuilding the similar thread index now. We'll see if the results are more relevant later tonight.

[RedStix]

I just noticed them and do find them interesting. That said, I guess they are useful for my purposes.

[pwr2al4]

I have always found them incredibly incredibly useful, not just on HF but all forums I visit.

I think they are even more of an asset here than just about anywhere else I visit regularly because in most hobbies even if you dont know about how or why something works or doesnt, you generally have some idea what the item or concept or topic is likely called.

Without knowing the term 'bishop bag' for example, it took me forever and wasted a bunch of peoples time by having to start a whole new thread just to describe a search term in a single sentence. instead I can just search stuff or sack or probably even bag and get to where i want to go.

[nualle]

Amazingly useful to a noob like me, to find a wider breadth of discussions over time of the same topics.

[Hogwash]

Personally, i find them useful on other forums that I visit.

The one downside is that it is quite easy to forget that the thread you are viewing has potentially not been active for quite some time when you click the link below an active thread.

I find that there are way more zombie threads on forums that use that feature. That said, generally the benefits outweigh the negatives in my opinion.

[OneClick]

Forgot about this. I think it would break the computer's brain if it had to choose only 4 "what's more important? UQ or TQ?" threads!

[TrailSlug]

Forgot about this. I think it would break the computer's brain if it had to choose only 4 "what's more important? UQ or TQ?" threads!This should be a sticky as it has come up two or three times in the last week alone.

[michigandave]

This should be a sticky as it has come up two or three times in the last week alone.

I agree...lots of new threads get started asking the same thing that could have been avoided by doing a little homework first.

[OneClick]

I agree...lots of new threads get started asking the same thing that could have been avoided by doing a little homework first.

Yea I'm a searcher for sure. Sometimes you get killer feedback from the seasoned hangers or even manufacturers in one thread - but another duplicate thread will get created and drown out the "good one". I hate to see that.

[drsolarmolar]

I do find the similar threads feature useful. I usually try and search what's already been posted before posing a question. Many times I'll find the answer to my question and more often than not find things I hadn't even considered or knew I had a question about!

I also think it's ok to start threads on topics that some may consider have been covered multiple times. New forum members, new products, and new perspectives all come together to bring new ideas and views on the subject. I usually find unique information in each thread I review even if they are similar in topic.