Why does the search function suck?

[C. D. Keth]

Just to clarify what a couple people already mentioned, you can search google and use a search term that will serve to narrow down the results to results only from a particular URL, such as this forum.

To do that, you enter search terms separated by commas like usual and then include the additional term "site:http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/" without the quotes and with no space between the colon and the beginning of the URL. You could narrow it down further within the forum by copying the URL of the classifieds, for example, to search only the classified ads.

[David R Munson]

On other forums I'm on I've seen where Google search has been integrated into the site's search function. I'm not sure how feasible it would be with the forum software here, but it's worth looking into I'd think.

[civich]

On other forums I'm on I've seen where Google search has been integrated into the site's search function. I'm not sure how feasible it would be with the forum software here, but it's worth looking into I'd think.

Yeah - what he said. Do we need to pass the tip jar around? -Chris

[amac212]

Well then what would be the fun for folks to not be able to tell posters with legitimate questions that they should run a search first before asking something that's been asked many times before.

[Ralph Barker]

Yeah - what he said. Do we need to pass the tip jar around? -Chris

We try to keep the forum software "stock" because add-ons often have to be re-coded to work with version upgrades, bug fixes, and the like. To fund that level of on-going maintenance, we'd have to charge people to join/read the forum. That's not a road we want to go down.

[Mark Stahlke]

Somewhere, possibly on this forum, I downloaded a search engine for Firefox that uses Google to search the Large Format Photography fora. It's probably doing the "site:" thing.



I found it. Here it is.

[IanG]

As Mark says this one works well, there's one for APUG as well. You can also write your own.

Ian

[civich]

A clear answer. Thanks for your time Ralph. And thanks for all of the helpful input from the other responders. -Chris

We try to keep the forum software "stock" because add-ons often have to be re-coded to work with version upgrades, bug fixes, and the like. To fund that level of on-going maintenance, we'd have to charge people to join/read the forum. That's not a road we want to go down.

[Kirk Gittings]

if you use Google Chrome there are a number of plugins that work well. I am currently using Quicker Site Search.

[sanking]

I always find it interesting that the people who get upset with the same questions being asked, will take the time to tell people to 'to search', but not the time to give a simple answer, nor do a quick search themselves and provide a link. I guess some people just like being buttholes.

Vaughn,

You sure hit the nail on the head with that comment!

Sandy