Ninja Tip: How To Check For Existing Threads

apsmith21

Operations Director
Staff Member
Aug 6, 2010
29,100
USA
Hi all ninja members!

Here a couple of quick tips that should reduce the number of double threads we've been seeing.

You'll note that here at HiDefNinja, we try to have a "standard" way of naming our threads - so they are easier for all members to find.

The naming convention is as follows:

1) Title of release
2) Type of packaging
3) Potential exclusive release to a store (if there's room)
4) Type of release if different from the norm
5) Country of Origin

Here are some examples.

Iron Man (Future Shop Exclusive Blu-ray Steelbook) -Embossed [Canada]
Rumble Fish [Masters of Cinema] (Blu-ray Steelbook) [UK]
Walkyrie (Valkyrie) (Blu-ray Steelbook)-Stickerbook[France]

If you are about to create a new thread, there are two ways you can try and verify if it does not already exist.

First, you can use the inline search feature (Check if already posted) that is to the right of the title field.

first_title_check.jpg


You'll note that results show in a new window, so make sure your browser will allow HiDefNinja.com to open a new window for you.

first_check2.jpg


The second way you can search (the most efficient one), is to a thread title search.

This is available from the advanced menu of the search bar for the forum.

advanced_search1.jpg


Make sure you choose "Search Titles Only"

advanced_search2.jpg


And there it is, the Iron Man I was searching for! REMEMBER, you can add more or less search terms to refine or broaden your search.

advanced_search3.jpg


**Note that you can also do a search from our collection manager application and the discussion thread for that steelbook or collectible should be listed there.

Finally, if you're new to the forums and you are a bit nervous about creating a new thread, feel free to PM a steelbook moderator for assistance.

I hope this quick searching overview helps some of our current and new members.
 
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Very helpful, and like you said in the OP... hopefully this should reduce the amount of double threads created.

I think this thread definitely deserves to be stickied!
 
Cheers the search engine on here has been a bit hard in the past to locate certain titles

Probably the best approach Terry is to be as "broad" or "general" as possible when using the title search.

So, here's another example.

I know that there's a pretty common word like "Man" in the title of the thread I'm looking for.

I might just search on "Iron" and then "Canada" to find my match.

But using the "general search" goes through the entire discussion forum, looking at each thread and post trying to find matches on any the words you are looking for.

So that would be something I would not recommend doing, just because a thread can get off topic, or even someone can post a singular comment about a release in passing that would throw a match.

Your best bet, IMO, is searching on the title and going from there. If there is a particular set of posts you are looking for, I'd suggest finding the thread first and then looking for the post once you found the thread.
 
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I have found a problem with searching certain titles in the past, for instance doing a search on 'con air' either by title or entire post returns no matches.
 
I have found a problem with searching certain titles in the past, for instance doing a search on 'con air' either by title or entire post returns no matches.

Yep, because the key words are too small for the search to happen efficiently on the vbulletin side.

For any example like that, you can try to add wildcards like *, or do it as a phrase in the search. But I've found that sometimes it does not work.

If I got really stuck and couldn't find the thread I was looking for, I'd go straight for the collection manager and search from there.

Click on the name "Con Air" and it'll take you directly to the forum thread.

con_air_cm.jpg
 
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My bad yesterday :emb:

I did use the "Check If Already Posted" tab though and nothing came up :confused: I should have known better really that one of you sharp eyed guys would have spotted it.

In future its the Advanced Tile search all the way for me. Thanks for the tip.
 
The Worz-no worries-threads are missed sometimes. But attempting to search by short fragments, before posting a new thread helps us keep the forum clean and neat. Enjoy the site, everyone! :scat:
 
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