New Search Functionality!
05-15-2009, 11:36 AM
#1
Boost Pope
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New Search Functionality!
We have recently made a couple of changes to improve the function of the "Search" feature considerably. Whereas previously the search engine treated all words entered into a search as "any of these words", you now have a few additional options to refine the behavior of the search engine.
First, and perhaps most importantly, you are now able to search for complete phrases in quotes. So a query for "alternator pulley" will return only posts that contain that specific phrase, rather than posts which contain either the words alternator or pulley, or both but not in the same phrase. Obviously you need to use some brain power here, as a search for "dingo kidneys" will not return posts containing the phrase "dingo's kidneys", so bear that in mind. Additionally, setting the option "Show Posts", rather than the default "Show Threads", will display snippets of the individual post in which the result was found, saving you from having to sift through a whole thread to find the result you wanted.
An example:
And the results:
As you can see, by using quotes and returning individual posts (rather than whole threads) we narrowed down the search to just the one specific post in which GripGoat specifically states that Hustler is a rump ranger, rather than the tens of thousands of results you'd normally expect to be deluged with on the topic.
You also have the ability to search for posts that much contain a certain combination of words, though not necessarily as a phrase. This is done by prepending a + sign onto each term in the search. So a search for +alternator +pulley would return all posts in which both alternators and pulleys are discussed, though not necessarily in the same sentence, such as would be the case where someone notes that "the timing wheel on my crankshaft pulley is preventing me from fitting the alternator belt on."
This can be very useful however in many situations where you want to find information a certain subject but can't quite think of how to phrase it properly. Take the case where you want to find information on the use of methanol as an anti-knock solution:
will give us only posts containing both the words methanol and knock, which narrows down the amount of material that you have to sift through to find what you're looking for considerably.
Sadly, this still won't help you figure out "Why the **** do I need XXX posts before I can buy some **** in classifieds or even pm the thieving bastard selling the stuff ", however I believe it should address a large percentage of the other issues folks have raised of late.
Feedback is appreciated.
First, and perhaps most importantly, you are now able to search for complete phrases in quotes. So a query for "alternator pulley" will return only posts that contain that specific phrase, rather than posts which contain either the words alternator or pulley, or both but not in the same phrase. Obviously you need to use some brain power here, as a search for "dingo kidneys" will not return posts containing the phrase "dingo's kidneys", so bear that in mind. Additionally, setting the option "Show Posts", rather than the default "Show Threads", will display snippets of the individual post in which the result was found, saving you from having to sift through a whole thread to find the result you wanted.
An example:
And the results:
As you can see, by using quotes and returning individual posts (rather than whole threads) we narrowed down the search to just the one specific post in which GripGoat specifically states that Hustler is a rump ranger, rather than the tens of thousands of results you'd normally expect to be deluged with on the topic.
You also have the ability to search for posts that much contain a certain combination of words, though not necessarily as a phrase. This is done by prepending a + sign onto each term in the search. So a search for +alternator +pulley would return all posts in which both alternators and pulleys are discussed, though not necessarily in the same sentence, such as would be the case where someone notes that "the timing wheel on my crankshaft pulley is preventing me from fitting the alternator belt on."
This can be very useful however in many situations where you want to find information a certain subject but can't quite think of how to phrase it properly. Take the case where you want to find information on the use of methanol as an anti-knock solution:
will give us only posts containing both the words methanol and knock, which narrows down the amount of material that you have to sift through to find what you're looking for considerably.
Sadly, this still won't help you figure out "Why the **** do I need XXX posts before I can buy some **** in classifieds or even pm the thieving bastard selling the stuff ", however I believe it should address a large percentage of the other issues folks have raised of late.
Feedback is appreciated.
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05-15-2009, 02:28 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Austin, TX yall
Posts: 846
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Awesome Joe.
Tag search can be helpful as well, especially when looking up older threads you might have browsed but did not bookmark (assuming you added a tag you remember). Are threads limited to the amount of tags that can be added?
Chris
Tag search can be helpful as well, especially when looking up older threads you might have browsed but did not bookmark (assuming you added a tag you remember). Are threads limited to the amount of tags that can be added?
Chris
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05-16-2009, 03:37 AM
#15
Junior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: South Jersey 5 min. from NJMP
Posts: 189
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Sadly, this still won't help you figure out "Why the **** do I need XXX posts before I can buy some **** in classifieds or even pm the thieving bastard selling the stuff ", however I believe it should address a large percentage of the other issues folks have raised of late.
Feedback is appreciated.
Feedback is appreciated.
Reply
0
0
