The new search system- problems, observations, issues

[thomprod]

Update- the server we leased is proving to be not powerful enough. I'm looking at an upgrade!
Nothing is simple

Alex, forgive my ignorance, but why was the search system changed in the first place? It seems as though the "newer" search system has less functionality than the old one did. Or am I missing some benefit of the new system?

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

The boards are always growing, so Alex has to find ways to accommodate all of the posts, threads, etc. The last iteration, which really speeded up a timing issue also included a different search system. So, if I remember correctly, with a forum the size of the DIS they needed to sacrifice search in order to maintain functionality of the boards (in the past, the boards were extremely slow and had other issues due to what I think was overloading of the server).

 

[thomprod]

If you've set your options to subscribe to threads that you posted to, you can get a list of all threads that you have posted to in your "user control panel". Click "User CP" in the upper left of any page. On the left side of your User CP, under "Subscribed Threads", click "List Subscriptions". This allows you to see all the threads that you have posted to. It won't let you go to your own post in that thread, like the old search function would, but it's better than nothing.

 

[tink2020]

Any news yet? Not rushing, just curious! I know there were some glitches, I was just checking in to see if a new (old) search is still a possibility!

 

[LoraJ]

I'd like to know too. I tried searching for a thread I started on google search and it didn't come up. And of course nothing comes up on this site. I really hope you aren't paying boardtracker a dime because it's useless.

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

I really hope you aren't paying boardtracker a dime because it's useless.

 

[agnes!]

I actually don't understand why the "Search" function/clickpoint/button doesn't maybe have a message that says "Search is non-functional (or has been disabled) until technical problems can be fixed".
I mean, from what I understand? Search doesn't work. Hasn't worked for quite a while and probably won't work anytime in the near future. I understand that there are many things that need to be worked out, like the right servers and software and finding the time to get all the components installed.
Let DIS'ers know up front that Search isn't working, dont let them waste time by putting in search parameters, maybe have the message say something along the lines of "The DIS Technical Webmasters know that this can be frustrating and we are working to get this problem solved." etc., etc.

agnes!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just a friendly FYI...I received 'points' for being 'argumentative and sarcastic' a bit back on this thread. Not sure what the limits are for saying things here on this thread, but thought I would pass along for what it is worth as an FYI.

 

[smjj]

Just a friendly FYI...I received 'points' for being 'argumentative and sarcastic' a bit back on this thread. Not sure what the limits are for saying things here on this thread, but thought I would pass along for what it is worth as an FYI.

Hopefully your kidding. Probably not though. I sent a PM to a moderator on a banned subject from the DVC boards a couple of weeks ago and from the reply I got I am lucky I did not get points..smjj

 

[dpuck1998]

We should start a "points" club I got some to share too....

 

[bicker]

I mean, from what I understand? Search doesn't work.

I use search practically every day. It does do some things, and does them well. I use search to find which threads have been created recently. That's a function, incidentally, that the old search never had.

I also have some success using search to find messages. For example, every so often someone brings up another good example for THIS thread, but I always forget to bookmark it. However, I know that if I enter the word "Tally" into the Search, the thread will show up somewhere on the first page of results.

 

[agnes!]

I use search practically every day. It does do some things, and does them well. I use search to find which threads have been created recently. That's a function, incidentally, that the old search never had.

I also have some success using search to find messages. For example, every so often someone brings up another good example for THIS thread, but I always forget to bookmark it. However, I know that if I enter the word "Tally" into the Search, the thread will show up somewhere on the first page of results.

When you state that you are using 'search' "to find which threads have been created recently", I assume you are referring to the 'New Posts' function. I've always regarded that particular button/function as being separate from the named "Search/Advanced Search" BoardTracker feature.

I'm glad that you are having some success using search to find particular messages. I have a few threads that I'm subscribed to, but usually, anymore, I just surf the various boards for what looks interesting. Kind of DIS-prospecting.

agnes!

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

Tally

Why would you search for this thread with the word Tally?

 

[bicker]

For searching I also use Google, with site:disboards.com at the end of the search query. I have a lot of success with that too.

 

[bicker]

Why would you search for this thread with the word Tally?

Not this this thread.... In that sentence, the word THIS was a link to the thread I was referring to. "Tally" is a relatively unique word, and so it is a good word to use to search for that thread.

 

[cassi06403]

Is there now no way to find a certain users posts?

 

[Dan Murphy]

None that I am aware of, other than trying to do a Google domain search.

 

[bicker]

As a matter of fact, I did a Google search yesterday on a user's name. It was somewhat effective, but I think I only found about 150 of the poster's 600 messages. It helps if the user has a particularly unique user name.

 

[tink2020]

The google domain search IS somewhat helpful for finding people's posts, as bicker confirmed. Unfortunately, though -- unless I don't know a trick that's available -- I don't see any rhyme or reason to the results listed. The first several posts I found from a user were from 2000, 2006, 2005 and then finally 2007.

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

Is there ever going to be a way to search for New Posts effectively again? I am not talking about the Boardtracker "New Posts" function (which does not appear to refresh itself very often) - I am asking about being able to search for new posts efficiently the way we used to, before the upgrade.