The Hummer Network

51coronet · Spotter Joined: 20 May 2011 Posts: 516

Is it possible to revise the search feature? The current search feature turns up so much irrelevent material its nearly useless.

Forgive me if I am wrong but it seems there is no way to search only TOPICS that contain a key word. Instead every single post with that key word will be displayed. This approach doesnt help in most cases when searching for information.

I think it can be done so much better. I know I am not alone here.

Thanks

forum mgmt · Custodian Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 95

There's article about using the search feature in the Help section:

http://www.hummernetworkforums.....p?t=209766

As for changing the way it works, that would take some major software re-engineering.

51coronet · Spotter Joined: 20 May 2011 Posts: 516

That explanation is fine but does not alleviate the massive irrelevant information that pops up in a search.

I think a search option that searches TOPIC titles only instead of every single post would help. Typically a topic title will contain the key word we are looking for. For example "Duramax conversion" turns up over 300 hits with only a few being relevant. Many hits are just someone who briefly mentions a truck that had the conversion done and that's it.

Is a check mark for "SEARCH TOPICS ONLY" too much of a task? Is it already there and I am missing it?

Many people start new topics with questions and answers that have been covered more than once and appologize up front saying "I tried the search but had no luck". Others get annoyed and say "use the search". To that I say the search apparently needs improvement.

forum mgmt · Custodian Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 95

There are no mods available that can accomplish this.

If you are, or know, a software engineer who can write a mod for this forum software which can accomplish this, along with extensive testing, it could be attempted.

Otherwise, make the most of the options available. If you are getting "massive irrelevant information", you need to optimize your options and narrow your searches. There are many good suggestions in the article referenced earlier.

JustinOK · Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 1:09 pm Post subject:

Is there a way to not include people's siglines when doing a search?

forum mgmt · Custodian Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 95

forum mgmt · Custodian Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 95

Unlike some forums, there is no requirement here that one do a search before posting a question. If you cannot find the information you seek doing a search, post your question on the forum. Don't be afraid of asking a question that's been asked before. After 16 years, it might not even be possible to ask a question that's never been asked.

51coronet · Spotter Joined: 20 May 2011 Posts: 516

forum mgmt · Custodian Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 95

Such a mod HAS BEEN FOUND on a hacks web site. This mod has now been installed and tested. IT WORKS!

Look for this in the search form:

Just check the "Search topic title only" option.

The finger crossing must have done some good. Frankly, I'd forgotten about that hacks site and had never installed anything from it before. This mod looked pretty straightforward, so I made sure I had everything backed up before trying it. It is possible to break the forum completely if a mod is not installed exactly correctly. This was.

Thanks!

JustinOK · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 2:43 am Post subject:

51coronet · Spotter Joined: 20 May 2011 Posts: 516

WOO HOO awesome thanks alot for checking on that and more importantly installing it!!!!!

leemaisel · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 7:03 am Post subject:

Oh THank GOD!! THis has been needed for many years!!!

THANKS!!!!!

Gulf1 · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 4:14 pm Post subject:

This is great. All we need need now is for people to use relevant subject lines when starting new topics.

"HELP" or "Need Question Answered" doesn't really cut it!

forum mgmt · Custodian Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 95