Please use the Search Function.

Discussion in 'Network Information, Suggestions and Feedback' started by von Poop, Dec 17, 2007.

  1. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Most will have noticed, but I suppose I should mention here that I've added a Google search box to the portal:

    [​IMG]

    I've also bunged one at the end of the links on the forum lists.
    Bit cramped, but it ought to search the site using the mighty Google (and any standard Google search operators) in a somewhat more efficient way than the built in search.
    Though they each have pros and cons - often worth trying both.
     
  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    bump
     
  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Bump.

    ''pigeon chimney'' comes to mind.
    ;)
     
  4. jacksun

    jacksun Senior Member

    Searching site for bump comes up with 394 results, pigeon chimney, not so many :D
     
  5. WGWright

    WGWright Older Member

    When I come onto the forum to check status of my posts, I search on WGW. All my posts are found and I can quickly see new replies etc. However the new forum does not allow searches of under 4 letters. Help!
    WGW
     
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    To find your posts why not click on your User Name & go to your Profile.
    Then look at tabs marked 'Topics' and 'Posts.
     
  7. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Dropped the search character limit to three.
    Think that's what it was on the old site - 2 might be pushing it.

    New search seems rather good.
    Can search most things from one box, hit the grey box that most likely says 'forums' within the search box to select type of search.
    (most will be no use yet, but give us time)



    Hmmm, this is a thread that needs re-writing... VB info not much cop anymore.
     
  8. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Just a reminder that if your looking for info on a soldier , maybe put his army number in the search box first.
    There may already be a thread about him on here.
     
    ozzy16 and BFBSM like this.
  9. ozzy16

    ozzy16 Well-Known Member

    Used it many times, very useful tool.

    Graham.
     
  10. Blutto

    Blutto Banned

    I wonder if many are aware that you can use Google to search a specific site? Its quite straightforward and possibly exceeds the abilities of the site's own search function. The example below is abbreviated and contains more pages etc.

    The syntax would be:

    site:ww2talk.com search terms

    The search terms are the key words you are looking for and don't actually go in italics.
    Capture.PNG
     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2018
    SDP likes this.
  11. Blutto

    Blutto Banned

    I was possibly being a little kind when I said "possibly exceeds the abilities of the site's own function". Reality is that I have yet to find a useful and user friendly search facility on any forum software. By comparison, here is the results I got from using just the same search term in the site's search option:

    Capture_2.PNG
     
  12. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Did you untick "search this forum only" ? Reason I ask is all those results are from the "suggestions & feedback" area and not the entire ww2talk forum.
     
    4jonboy and Tricky Dicky like this.
  13. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Glad this came up.
    Been meaning to look at search settings as I always have to search twice after forgetting it defaults to a local search, which I don't think is how people really want to use it.

    Tried before, but will try again.
     
    Tricky Dicky likes this.
  14. Blutto

    Blutto Banned

    In part that confirms my point. With the Google option you don't have to interpret the forum search options, tick or untick anything. I agree that if I had it would have widened the search, but the results would have been of the same style.

    True it offers lots of options, but compare the simple Google search returns to those you will get on the forum. Just look at the options offered by the forum search page and wonder who will get it right?

    Capture_3.PNG
     
  15. Blutto

    Blutto Banned

    I forget how long ago it was that somebody pointed out the benefits of using the Google option, but I do know that time and time again I get frustrated with forum search engines and have to remind myself that Google (at least as a search engine) is your friend. I think that this is a fundamental problem and the reason that we see clear examples on a daily basis that people (especially those with limited web skills) are not searching before they post.

    Tricky Dickey is an avid web searcher, what do you do TD?
     
  16. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    The main advocate of using Google site search was... me. Even bolted on a Google search box to older iterations of the forum software and actively encouraged its use.

    But... The built-in 'elastic' search system on this current software can be remarkable, so I've not reinstated the Google box.
    If I want to Google search the site I have it on a right-click browser plugin.

    Will furtle through the search settings this evening. See if the option I want is buried somewhere.
     
  17. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    I just add the subject to the top right hand search box and press 'GO' - unless I know for sure its in a tiyle I leave all the tick boxes 'unticked'

    TD

    Need to add - thats for searching the forum site

    Otherwise I tend to use Google through chrome browser and new eyeballs every couple of months
     
    ozzy16 likes this.
  18. Blutto

    Blutto Banned

    Just raised it as a search option, not as a site suggestion. What some may seem obvious is oblivious to others.
     
  19. ozzy16

    ozzy16 Well-Known Member

    Same here TD.

    Graham.
     
  20. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Argh. Forgot this.

    Welcome to my world:
    Capture.JPG

    Cannot find (there or on other settings lists) an option that unticks the default 'search this forum only' choice.

    However.
    Some chaps elsewhere are talking about a template edit.
    Going to try this. Loathe template messing, so If everything stops working, this will be why!

    And let me guess. XF2, which we should be upgrading to soonish, will have a simple tickbox. :D
     

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