Searching

[crusty_bint]

You may all have noticed a big new addition to the banner at the top of HG urging you to search the forums before you start a new topic, and if you haven't then you might want to go get something tested.

Anyway, just to enlighten you as to why this has appeared and why your shiny new thread of which you could very possibly be ever so proud has been locked and a big abrasive message posted at ya I've started this thread.

The reason is that for a number of years now HG has been plodding along and growing steadily, both in terms of members and new topics, so its inevitable that duplicate threads will appear from time to time. However, in the last few months there has been verging on one a day, and on occasion more!

Now it might not seem like a big deal but, as mentioned, for a few years now we've been asking people to have a search before they fire in with a new topic and this has been fine, but now due to the frequency of these duplicate threads and people not searching some folk are taking the hump when they are urged to search and see it as some sort of witch hunt.

The simple fact of the matter is that we've asked nicely and been patient, given gentle reminders that the search function is there to be used and should be used. But for some folk thats not enough and we're (collectively) having to resort to more drastic measures so that the mods aren't having to lock threads every day and do your searching for you!

So please don't take it personally - JUST SEARCH!!!

[allyharp]

Yes searching helps us all out, but sometimes I feel that it's pushed a little too hard. Especially in the face of new folk.
I know if I'd only just signed up and got some of the replies new people have got when their thread has been locked, I certainly wouldn't come back.

[MadameZiggy]

I have to agree Ally.

I now don't post new threads just in case I've missed something when I've searched!

I do enjoy these forums but I have to admit I'm a bit dubious about starting of a thread of my own.
I'm too much of a wimp now!

Better to just get involved if someone else has had the guts to start off & it's been "passed" by the mods!

[glasgowken]

I'd have to agree as well.

[Simba]

Yes searching helps us all out, but sometimes I feel that it's pushed a little too hard. Especially in the face of new folk.
I know if I'd only just signed up and got some of the replies new people have got when their thread has been locked, I certainly wouldn't come back.

Agreed. Responses like 'why don't you look on Google' etc have put me off posting in the past. It's quite harsh some of the things the regulars come out with when people ask questions.

[Ally Doll]

If you use the "Search for all terms" option rather than the default "Search for any terms or use query as entered" option, you'll get more accurate results.

Either that, or search the site through an advanced google search - I just did that to see if there was a photo similar to one I was considering posting. There was, so I'm not gonna bother!

It's not very hard to find what you're looking for, if you know how to look for it.

[cheesylion]

It's not very hard to find what you're looking for, if you know how to look for it.

I think that's part of the problem though, it's not a very user friendly search system.
I know I have searched for things in the past only to be told after that the thing I searched for was there somewhere.
Having said that, it does get tedious when the same old threads get started all the time.

[Sunflower]

Thanks for the tips Ally Doll - I've found it a struggle to find even things that I know I've already seen on the forums somewhere. I'll try the advanced Google search next time.

[allyharp]

The thing that gets me most is that people have the cheek to shout "SEARCH IT" all the time while we still have a ridiculous timer on the search function.

Misspell a word and you have to wait about 30 seconds before trying again. No wonder people don't bother.

[edited for spelling]
[edited again for spelling (cheers HH)]

[HollowHorn]

The thing that gets me most is that people have the cheek to shout "SEARCH IT" all the time while we still have a rediculous timer on the search function.

Misspell a word and you have to wait about 30 seconds before trying again. No wonder people don't bother.

[edited for spelling]

Brilliant, Ally, cheered me up no end
I've been skelped several times for not searching (makes me smile a rueful smile), I do now though at least attempt to search.

[doonunda]

ft

[Local Hero]

I think that's a cracking idea doonunda. I think that would certainly help to keep the new "searched but didn't find anything. mod: here it is. locked" threads down.

IT may be open to abuse by lazy so and so's who don't even searchbut I'm sure everyone would get to recognise them and give them the bum's rush

[Sharon]

The thing that gets me most is that people have the cheek to shout "SEARCH IT" all the time while we still have a ridiculous timer on the search function.

Misspell a word and you have to wait about 30 seconds before trying again. No wonder people don't bother.

[edited for spelling]
[edited again for spelling (cheers HH)]

It was a 15 sec delay

I've dropped it to 5 secs, so providing there aren't probs with flooding - and hence server load - this should make searching quicker.

[McShad]

There is an option to search 'topic title and message text' or 'message text only'... is it possible to add an option to search the topic titles only? (sorry if this has already been asked)

[Apollo]

It's there already...

Just select 0 in the Return first X characters of posts

Option at bottom right corner.