New Feature: Similar Topics

[casportpony]

I will have to explore this new feature.

 

[greybeard]

To be honest, after it being here a little over a month, I find it 'not very useful'. I understand the objective of it, but think whatever the software is using for key words is just too broad--seemingly just matches the first verb in some instances--the first noun in others.
Example: in the thread about selling timber to pay for fencing it listed:
Selling/buying property
Selling bunnies
Considering selling my horse
Selling handmade crafts
Selling milk

 

[Goat Whisperer]

I have noticed it's been a little hit-or- miss.
But it really depends on the topic. I do think it's a good feature to have though. It is very broad.

Here is an example:

So yes, very broad, but I think it could still help other members.

 

[NH homesteader]

I agree, some of both. I have seen a lot on diseases and symptoms that have been relevant like that example, which has been helpful. There are some off the wall ones too though!

 

[goatgurl]

it will be interesting to see how useful it is. going to give it a try though.

 

[Latestarter]

Don't think it "hurts" anything by being available... May help, may not, if it does; great, if not; no biggie.

 

[norseofcourse]

Most of the time I don't scroll down to see the list of similar threads, but when I have, I've also noticed they are usually not very similar. I wonder if it would help, if the feature's search was confined to the forum (or sub-forum?) which that post was in (such as 'Feeding time - goats', or 'Diseases and injuries - sheep').

And as latestarter said, no harm having it even if it doesn't work perfectly.

 

[Nifty]

Thanks for he feedback!

The system looks for words in the titles of the threads, so if the thread title / subject is super vague, then it's going to have a hard time finding good matches.

I just changed one setting so that the system only looks for matches within the same section. I'm curious if that will make things better (since it will only match hopefully similar topics) or worse (since there will be fewer topics to chose from).

Let me know what you think.

 

[lcertuche]

I think it will be helpful. Thanks for your effort to improve our search.