search engine limitations - Wildlife Gardeners

dapjwy · 08-14-2012, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WG Admin

No record of a "Is it I or W.G." getting deleted. We log deleted threads.

Maybe this is the wrong place to post this, but seeing all of the one- and two-letter words in the thread title above got me to finally post something that has been bothering me: Even if I remember a thread title, somethimes the search system won't let me search if the word is too short or too common. Even if I can put the whole thread in quotes, the search system doesn't seem to allow me to search even when I know the full title. Is there anyway to change that?

WG Admin · 08-14-2012, 11:02 AM

Dapjwy-

Before you ask; I'm the someone else moving your post to its own thread.

VBulletin has many great features. Search isn't one of them. Too damn many limitations to it.

There is one setting that can be adjusted. Let's see if that helps.

Cirsium · 08-14-2012, 11:12 AM

There are limitations in the native software of vBulletin (the software used at WG). Trying to change that is not only difficult, it can cause a lot of problems.

However there is an easy work around if you aren't getting the results that you were hoping for in a specific search. You can search the WG website using the power of Google. have a look at this link:
Operators and more search help - Web Search Help

Note the "Search within a site or domain" box.

WG Admin · 08-14-2012, 11:21 AM

VB search is a relatively server-intensive process. Let's see if minor changes alleviate or create new problems.

Cirsium · 08-14-2012, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WG Admin

VB search is a relatively server-intensive process. Let's see if minor changes alleviate or create new problems.

Dapjwy - I see that WG Admin is in the "Boldly go where no one has gone before" mode, so if anything can be done it will be done.

.

dapjwy · 08-14-2012, 12:09 PM

Thanks, guys!

(I like the title you chose for the thread, WG Admin.)

I'll check out the options...and I truly hope the "boldly going where no one has gone before" doesn't wreak havoc on the search--I'd hate to feel responsible for inititating the attempted minor changes. Then again, if it works, I'll gladly take credit for initiating it.

Is the minor change allowing the use of quoatations ("") to search an exact phrase?

WG Admin · 08-14-2012, 01:08 PM

Minimum word length decreased to three. Search index temporarily enlarged.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dapjwy

Is the minor change allowing the use of quoatations ("") to search an exact phrase?

No. Another minor change will. Give me time on that will you.

Search changes require cycle time.

dapjwy · 08-14-2012, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WG Admin

Minimum word length decreased to three. Search index temporarily enlarged.

No. Another minor change will. Give me time on that will you.

Search changes require cycle time.

Thank you.

I didn't realize you had control over such things. The exact quote thing should help a lot with finding the title of threads--at least the ones we remember exactly!

Thanks again.

WG Admin · 08-16-2012, 08:20 AM

We have control over such things. Push the server to the brink- we go down.

I want to know if search is working better for you.

havalotta · 08-16-2012, 12:53 PM

I'm still seeing this...... when I'm searching for the Is it I or W.G.? Thread.

Quote:

Sorry - no matches. Please try some different terms.
The following words are either very common, too long, or too short and were not included in your search : I, Is, it

08-14-2012, 11:02 AM	#2
WG Admin WG's Mr. Tomato Head Join Date: Nov 2008	Dapjwy- Before you ask; I'm the someone else moving your post to its own thread. VBulletin has many great features. Search isn't one of them. Too damn many limitations to it. There is one setting that can be adjusted. Let's see if that helps. __________________ "If gardening isn't a pleasure for you, chances are the work will merely give you a rotten disposition. If you'd rather be golfing or fishing, get a bumper sticker that says so, and forget gardening." Elsa Bakalar

08-14-2012, 11:12 AM	#3
Cirsium Co-Administrator Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Midwest	There are limitations in the native software of vBulletin (the software used at WG). Trying to change that is not only difficult, it can cause a lot of problems. However there is an easy work around if you aren't getting the results that you were hoping for in a specific search. You can search the WG website using the power of Google. have a look at this link: Operators and more search help - Web Search Help Note the "Search within a site or domain" box. __________________ "We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." Aldo Leopold

08-14-2012, 11:21 AM	#4
WG Admin WG's Mr. Tomato Head Join Date: Nov 2008	VB search is a relatively server-intensive process. Let's see if minor changes alleviate or create new problems. __________________ "If gardening isn't a pleasure for you, chances are the work will merely give you a rotten disposition. If you'd rather be golfing or fishing, get a bumper sticker that says so, and forget gardening." Elsa Bakalar

08-14-2012, 12:09 PM	#6
dapjwy WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Pennsylvania	Thanks, guys! (I like the title you chose for the thread, WG Admin.) I'll check out the options...and I truly hope the "boldly going where no one has gone before" doesn't wreak havoc on the search--I'd hate to feel responsible for inititating the attempted minor changes. Then again, if it works, I'll gladly take credit for initiating it. Is the minor change allowing the use of quoatations ("") to search an exact phrase? __________________ "If suburbia were landscaped with meadows, prairies, thickets or forests, or combinations of these, then the water would sparkle, fish would be good to eat again, birds would sing and human spirits would soar." ~ Lorrie Otto ~ A Native Backyard Blog ~

08-16-2012, 08:20 AM	#9
WG Admin WG's Mr. Tomato Head Join Date: Nov 2008	We have control over such things. Push the server to the brink- we go down. I want to know if search is working better for you. __________________ "If gardening isn't a pleasure for you, chances are the work will merely give you a rotten disposition. If you'd rather be golfing or fishing, get a bumper sticker that says so, and forget gardening." Elsa Bakalar

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