TL;DR
A Hacker News commenter outlined simple Google search patterns to surface web forum threads by targeting URL fragments used by common forum software. They showed examples for phpBB, Simple Machines and vBulletin and suggested combining those patterns with Boolean operators.
What happened
A comment posted on Hacker News shared a practical tip for locating discussion threads on legacy forum software via Google. The author recommended appending specific inurl: search operators to queries to filter results to thread pages: inurl:viewtopic.php for phpBB forums, inurl:"index.php?topic=" for Simple Machines (SMF), and inurl:showthread.php for vBulletin. They demonstrated combining multiple patterns with Boolean operators (AND, OR) to broaden or narrow results — for example, searching for a keyword such as croissant alongside the three inurl patterns joined with OR. The post framed the technique as a way to rediscover or spend time on web-based message boards and closed with a brief holiday greeting. The content is informal and presented as a tip rather than an exhaustive guide to search operators or forum discovery.
Why it matters
- Helps users locate discussion threads on older forum platforms that may not surface easily through generic searches.
- Useful for researchers, hobbyists or anyone seeking community archives tied to phpBB, Simple Machines or vBulletin.
- Shows a simple application of Google’s inurl: operator and Boolean logic to focus search results.
- Illustrates how predictable URL structures of forum software can be leveraged for targeted discovery.
Key facts
- The tip appeared as a comment on Hacker News.
- Inurl:viewtopic.php is suggested to surface phpBB discussion threads.
- Inurl:"index.php?topic=" is suggested for locating Simple Machines forum threads.
- Inurl:showthread.php is suggested for finding vBulletin forum threads.
- The commenter recommended combining patterns with AND and OR to refine searches.
- An example given: croissant AND (inurl:viewtopic.php OR inurl:showthread.php OR inurl:"index.php?topic=").
- The tone of the original post was informal and framed as a nostalgic or recreational tip.
- The post included a holiday sign-off from the commenter.
What to watch next
- Whether search engines change how they index or show inurl-based results — not confirmed in the source
- Potential variability in forum URL schemes for custom or updated forum software — not confirmed in the source
- Legal or privacy considerations around scraping or collecting forum content are not discussed — not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- inurl:: A Google search operator that restricts results to pages whose URL contains the specified string.
- phpBB: An open-source forum software package that commonly uses URL patterns such as viewtopic.php for thread pages.
- Simple Machines Forum (SMF): Forum software that often exposes topic pages with URL fragments like index.php?topic= followed by an identifier.
- vBulletin: A commercial forum platform frequently associated with thread URLs that include showthread.php.
- Boolean operators: Logical words like AND and OR used in searches to combine or exclude terms and refine results.
Reader FAQ
How do I find phpBB threads with Google?
Use Google with inurl:viewtopic.php appended to your query, as suggested in the source.
Can I search for multiple forum systems at once?
Yes; the commenter showed combining patterns with OR inside parentheses, e.g., croissant AND (inurl:viewtopic.php OR inurl:showthread.php OR inurl:"index.php?topic=").
Will this find every forum thread on the web?
Not confirmed in the source.
Is there any guidance on legality or scraping limits?
Not confirmed in the source.
If you have fond memories of misspending entirely too much of your youth on web-based message boards, or you would like to misspend more of your nights and weekends on…
Sources
- Looking for Decent Conversation?
- Google Search Operators: 40 Commands to Know …
- Google Search Hacks: Tips to Find What You Need
- How to Smartly Combine Google's Search Operators to Find …
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