Suggestion: lower the character search limit

[Birdy]

I'd like to recommend lowering the character limitation to include 3 character terms.

In discussion many models are commonly referred to by their 3 digit names rather than the full name (510 vs Joye510).
Makes searching a real pain and I think it leads to a lot of repetitive posts that could have been found by searching.

 

[_TJ_]

I like this idea 100%. It's a definite PITA.
Is the reason for the minimum so that less space is taken up on the server? I would venture a guess and say yes.

 

[Wireguy]

You could use the search box on the bottom left. It's Google and it searches this forum. No character limit and it works better.

 

[Birdy]

You could use the search box on the bottom left. It's Google and it searches this forum. No character limit and it works better.

I usually search by post, rather than thread- much more precise returns, and more control over the scope of my search.

 

[Wireguy]

I usually search by post, rather than thread- much more precise returns, and more control over the scope of my search.

First the limit is stupid.

Search by post? I don't catch you here. To many meanings for me.

 

[Birdy]

First the limit is stupid.

Search by post? I don't catch you here. To many meanings for me.

I just meant that in the Search drop down there's the option to either "Show Threads" or "Show Posts". Searching by threads gives you page one of any thread that the search term appears in- "show posts" gives you the link to the exact post the term is found in. Really helps when it's some monster thread that went off on a crazy train of derailment

 

[Wireguy]

OK, just to make sure. the forum search should not be limited, I agree.

The search option I mentioned is by post by default. Also you can use google itself for the same function. For instance, "510 birdy site:e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/"

Then you can use Advanced search to exclude words, match exact phrase and so on.

 

[Birdy]

The search option I mentioned is by post by default. Also you can use google itself for the same function. For instance, "510 birdy site:e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/"

Then you can use Advanced search to exclude words, match exact phrase and so on.

I hear ya and that's how I google ... but I'm trying to make it easier for new folks to find stuff within ECF, without them needing to learn advanced search operators

Hell, half the time people don't even know the search link is up there in the top bar, you know?

 

[Wireguy]

Ahh. I understand and agree.

 

[Kent C]

+ 1 on that idea....

Got any ideas for those searching for info on the "Kent" flavored ejuice? lol.

 

[Oliver]

Hey, it's been set at 2 characters for some time now, I'm not sure why you are not seeing the correct search results.

Perhaps the search database doesn't update old threads?

 

[Kent C]

Hey, it's been set at 2 characters for some time now, I'm not sure why you are not seeing the correct search results.

Perhaps the search database doesn't update old threads?

SJ, now that you mention it, I have been seeing three characters in bold above the search frame lately. Thanks!

 

[Oliver]

Aha! That's good to know, Kent. Thanks.

SJ

 

[greenie]

You could use the search box on the bottom left. It's Google and it searches this forum. No character limit and it works better.

I didn't know there was a Google bar down there thanks.

I'm probably not familiar with the main search function inside ECF to work it well enough. It's daunting sometimes but I do know I can get precise search for results for ECF topics using Google.

 

[Birdy]

Hey, it's been set at 2 characters for some time now, I'm not sure why you are not seeing the correct search results.

Perhaps the search database doesn't update old threads?

hmmm.

Well, initially that would lead me to think it had to do with too many hits... a search of 510, 808 or FAQ, etc gets you:

"Sorry - no matches. Please try some different terms."

No results for "401" either. But a search of "m401" gets you 500 hits. I assume the difference is that one has 3 characters and the other has 4.

Do you get the same results when searching for 510, 401 or FAQ?

 

[jdg]

Yeah, the terms USA Mix gives me nothing, with or without quotes, using the forum's search. I know for a fact that "USA Mix" appears on several threads.

 

[MetalPrincess]

hmmm.

Well, initially that would lead me to think it had to do with too many hits... a search of 510, 808 or FAQ, etc gets you:

"Sorry - no matches. Please try some different terms."

No results for "401" either. But a search of "m401" gets you 500 hits. I assume the difference is that one has 3 characters and the other has 4.

Do you get the same results when searching for 510, 401 or FAQ?

I just checked again and I don't get any results for any 3 character searches either.

 

[Oliver]

How strange - I've double checked this and it's definitely set at 2 characters.

There is another option that allows me to add, manually, any words to be included in the search but, again, I assume this doesn't work retrospectively - that the terms are added to the search database at the point at which the post is made.

I wonder if there's a way of updating the search database.... I'll check now.

SJ

 

[Oliver]

OK, the search engine is recaching now. I started it from post 400000 so it should be finished in half an hour or so!

 

[Birdy]

OK, the search engine is recaching now. I started it from post 400000 so it should be finished in half an hour or so!

Thanks Joe but I don't think the cache is the issue.

I just searched:
ry4
401
510
tab (tabs works)
bat (bats works)
and KR8 (4 character term KR8s returns results) That's a term which is from a thread that's only a week old.

...and got the "sorry no matches" result.


When you search for any of these items does it return results? If so, could it be because you have superduper forum privileges?