A better search function?

[Andrea]

We always say "there is a search function," or "there are tons of threads about this, did you search?" but even with using search, we get hundreds, if not thousands of results which don't help most of the time.. or maybe it's just me. :p

I think the forum could use a better search function. One that has advanced options. Like being able to search for a particular phrase, or being able to filter out certain words, or be able to go to an exact post in a hundred page thread.

I'm not a programmer, I don't know if I'm asking for too much, but hey, it's a suggestion! :]

If it worked like that, a lot of people would probably use it more anyway.

Jus' saying :)

[DaYuMu6ft7]

I doubt if they would use it more often, if at all...

But I'm sure the request was placed for some major tweaking

[deserttopping]

i think you're right, the search feature could use some tweaking.

...like allowing shorter, common words, use of quotation marks for phrases, etc.

[Andrea]

yay. thanks DYM and dt. :]

[JaceMan]

I think the forum could use a better search function. One that has advanced options. Like being able to search for a particular phrase, or being able to filter out certain words, or be able to go to an exact post in a hundred page thread.


Have you tried taking advantage of quotation marks?

Try searching for search function and "search function"

There are certain tweaks and features a vbulletin admin can do to improve the search functionality, but you can search for phrases here.

[Fare]

I think the forum could use a better search function. One that has advanced options. Like being able to search for a particular phrase, or being able to filter out certain words, or be able to go to an exact post in a hundred page thread.

I'm confused, what exactly are you looking for?

search for a particular phrase - Use quotation marks, Example (http://androidcommunity.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1071688).(before any one attacks me that the quotation marks don't work. Example 1 (http://androidcommunity.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1071688) and Example 2 (http://androidcommunity.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1071700))

filter out certain words - type in "NOT" (not inquotation marks and doesn't need to be capitalized) before the word you want to filter out. You actually have access to 3 Boolean expressions: AND, OR, NOT.

exact post in a hundred page thread - in advanced search, filter results by post instead of thread.

[deserttopping]

ok, if boolean terms and quotation marks work, that's good. i think shorter words should be allowed. "Ion," for example, is too short.

[Fare]

ok, if boolean terms and quotation marks work, that's good. i think shorter words should be allowed. "Ion," for example, is too short.

It's a mySQL limitation, not vBulletin's (or the admin/dev of the forum).

[JaceMan]

Here, I just made THIS (http://androidcommunity.com/forums/showthread.php?p=205991) if you want/need a little help in vBulletin searching.

[deserttopping]

It's a mySQL limitation, not vBulletin's (or the admin/dev of the forum).

ok, didn't realize that.

[ewdi]

I will enable shorter keyword requirement for the search after we move to a new server tonight :)

[JaceMan]

I will enable shorter keyword requirement for the search after we move to a new server tonight :)

Sweet! A 3 character limit with my search tips means everyone will experience searching bliss. Now the only question is... how do we actually get people to use it?

:p

[deserttopping]

thanks, ewdi, and thanks, jace for the tips. this will help a great deal.

the search feature is pretty obvious as it is, but i might have to pirate a link to jaceman's tips for my sig. :D

[mckoy]

Sweet! A 3 character limit with my search tips means everyone will experience searching bliss. Now the only question is... how do we actually get people to use it?

:p


Well, I think most people (like myself) go to androidcommunity.com, click on forums then click on NEW POSTS.... and will continue to click on NEW POSTS every 10-seconds. Make certain stickies just like the VBulletin Search Tips (http://androidcommunity.com/forums/f11/vbulletin-search-tips-19268/#post205991) visible on the NEW POSTS page... or on any frequently visited page.

[deserttopping]

yeah, i use "new posts" pretty exclusively also. i don't know if there's a way, or that it would be practical, to sticky there.

i'm thinking maybe we could include jaceman's tips in the knowledge base (if he's cool with that), and/or put a link in the search results / advanced search options...?

[mckoy]

You should probably change the "vBulletin Search Tips" sticky to "Forum Search Tips"... If I'm a person that just joined an online forum I would have no use for vBulletin Search tips, I would not even know what vBulletin is and the first thing that person may do is a search for, what is vBulletin... and would get the vBulletin thread or sticky... you get my point!

[deserttopping]

good point. i'll change the thread title.

[JaceMan]

yeah, i use "new posts" pretty exclusively also. i don't know if there's a way, or that it would be practical, to sticky there.

i'm thinking maybe we could include jaceman's tips in the knowledge base (if he's cool with that), and/or put a link in the search results / advanced search options...?

You guys are free to do what you want with it. Once I post something here I am "giving" it to Android Community, and it is no longer mine. Help yourselves to anything I post, as all of my posts come with a Creative Commons license with me waiving all rights to the content, so long as my name remains in the original post. :rolleyes:

[*susan*]

I have changed the search limit to 3 characters.

[Andrea]

You guys are free to do what you want with it. Once I post something here I am "giving" it to Android Community, and it is no longer mine. Help yourselves to anything I post, as all of my posts come with a Creative Commons license with me waiving all rights to the content, so long as my name remains in the original post. :rolleyes:

Thanks for the tips, Jace. I use those on Google, never knew they worked on the search here too. HAHA.



Thanks everyone! :]

[ewdi]

I have changed the search limit to 3 characters.

I actually changed it to 2 character when we moved

[JaceMan]

I actually changed it to 2 character when we moved

2 characters? :eek:

That's quite the extra load on the server... then again, looking at the specs -- I guess it can take it.

But really, how many 2 character searches can there be? "jf" and what else (http://www.yak.net/kablooey/scrabble/2letterwords.html)?

[JaceMan]

P.S. If the minimum character search was set to 3 characters (or fewer), it doesn't appear to be working. Searches for:

car
dog
cat
man
and d.t.'s Ion

all resulted in failure.