Searching a phrase on SoTT Forum?

[Peter]

I've spent some time browsing and searching this forum, the SoTT articles and the Cass site the last few weeks. It would really be helpful if the forum's search engine had an exact phrase functionality.
Thanks.

 

[Beau]

Did you try using quotes before and after your phrase?

 

[Peter]

Did you try using quotes before and after your phrase?

Yes. It returns the search result as if it were seperate terms. IOW, the quotes don't seem to make a difference.
ex. "new and improved" (including quotes) returns same search result as if no quotes were used. :(
This function however works for the SoTT news article section and for cassiopaea.org
Not a major hassle though. It tends to have me to look through a lot of forum articles, though my searches could be more focused and I could absorb more material more quickly if this functionality were present.

 

[anart]

Yes, I too find the search function on the Signs page to be much more functional that the search engine for the forum - at least in my personal experience.

I often have trouble finding what I'm looking for with the forum search engine, but I suspect that may be because I don't know how to use it correctly - however, it could simply be a more rudimentary search engine. At the very least, perhaps we could get tips (other than those listed in the instructions) on how to use the search function more effectively from those who do not have trouble finding what they're looking for. Then again, perhaps the instructions hold the key?

Anyone with tips - please feel free to contribute, since I know I could use the help. =)

 

[domi]

It tends to have me to look through a lot of forum articles, though my searches could be more focused and I could absorb more material more quickly if this functionality were present.

Hi Peter,

Since it seems very important to you I did some some digging over on the developer website for this forum (punBB).
I could not find any extentions, new features, etc. that would implement the functionality that you desire.

The SOTT search functionality is home-baked/brewn and therefore different from this forum's search functionaltiy. Same goes for cassiopaea.org.

Hope this helps.

 

[j0da]

Hello folks. I've also found SOTT Forum search engine limitations somewhat frustrating, but I have my own ways to make things a bit faster. In general these boil down to:

a) Using Opera web browser

b) Opening all threads fetched by SOTT Forum search engine using middle mouse button (starting with those with fewer pages) - works faster than "open link in a new window"

c) using wonderfull "search on page" function accesible by pressing "." button

d) using "find next" on page, using shortcut "ctrl+g", when searched word occurs more than once

e) using "Home" or "End" keyboard buttons to acces Pages navigation (Pages 1,2,3,..) when searched term can't be found on actually viewed page of a thread - those work faster than mouse scroll or "Page Up" & "Page Down" buttons

Tips mentioned above may seem obvious, but I am aware not all of us are computer geeks, so I share them.

But wait, there's more!

When I started this micro write-up I suddenly had an idea how to get those darn quote search results. It's not a revolution, but I'm very happy anyway :)

So, without further ado..


Ask google

There is no reason why we couldn't substitute forum engine with google, while digging for information. Especially when it can fetch quoted terms!

For example:

a) feeding forum search engine with "Alan Watt says" brings five results:

http://www.cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php?topic=6757

http://www.cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php?topic=6675

http://www.cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php?topic=6660

http://www.cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php?topic=1639

http://www.cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php?topic=1382

Now, only one link leads to a thread where "Alan Watt says" term is being used.


b) feeding google search engine with the following query

site:www.signs-of-the-times.org/signs/forum "Alan Watt says"

brings only one result

http://www.cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php?topic=6757


Another example:

a) feeding forum search engine with "no biggie" brings TWENTY results

b) feeding google search engine with the following query:

site:www.signs-of-the-times.org/signs/forum "no biggie"

brings TWO results

Add to that nice feat that google is case-sensitive, ie it discerns between small and capital letters and we have a lot to toy with.

There is downside to it however, since it takes time for google to index new pages - I've already tested it and it seems you won't get results from threads or posts which are freshly created. Maybe this method needs refining or what is more probable it simply has it shortcomings and we just have to mix methods in order to get what we want.

 

[vinny]

hey joda, that's really useful!
I'd forgotten all about google's ability to search within a domain.

 

[Peter]

Ask google

There is no reason why we couldn't substitute forum engine with google, while digging for information. Especially when it can fetch quoted terms!

Yes. Feeding google with
site:www.signs-of-the-times.org/signs/forum "search phrase" has been my workaround. It (using google) is not a preferred way, but it is functional.

There is downside to it however, since it takes time for google to index new pages - I've already tested it and it seems you won't get results from threads or posts which are freshly created. Maybe this method needs refining or what is more probable it simply has it shortcomings and we just have to mix methods in order to get what we want.

This hasn't been much of a problem with me as browsing new threads and posts is very easy with the forum.
Many thanks to all for this help. Like I mentioned, it's not a real biggie, although it is useful to seperate the wheat from the chaff. It seems that recognizing chaff is necessary for this function, and fortunately the SoTT/cassiopaea material has a very favorable wheat/chaff ratio.
Hopefully I'll be able to contribute to this in the future.