Search function and it's apparent foibles.

Title is pretty much it really.

I have started reading too many seemingly cool threads; when - all of a sudden 'BOOM' ... Thread closed ... etc.

My question is.

Can we perhaps be given a set of "key words" as in a search guideline as such,
pertaining to the specifics of the software ?

That could perhaps, give a better "hit ratio" when using the "magnifying glass" icon.?

Absolutely - no idea when it comes to the coding etc.

Just a thought regarding search.

a reply to: Timely

I'm not sure what the question is. Using search engines is something of an art. You can cast a broad net by using a single keyword or a narrow one by using a number of specific ones. Finding closed threads may not be possible if they are 404'd.

My search hasn't worked in a month.
Just sits there as if it were going to load and does nothing.

a reply to: DJW001

I suppose that is what I am trying to get at !

Is search really such an art ?

I can usually find stuff easily with one or three varied grammar choices,
or "key words" as I was alluding to.

Just seems like some folk are struggling.
When that happens - you can get a bad user experience which we know; is not what ATS is about.

Like DOS needed windows to make it wide spread and user friendly ...

a reply to: badgerprints

Just checked mine now : Working.

You may need an update or try another browser.

We used to have keywords or "tags" - but that too failed because people either didn't think or was spiteful. Some would go around tagging all threads with words like "conspiracy", "nutcase", "stupid OP" and so on until the entire system was rendered useless.

It all boils down to writing a proper thread title - and it's not really that hard.
"OMG!!!! CHeck teh latest NEWS from NY!!!!!!" - Nope.
"Ebola infection reported by Times in New York - 29/12/2017" - Informative, and you know exactly what you are getting yourself into when you click the thread, and will show up in searches for similar key words.

So if we could convince everyone to just write a proper thread title and introductory paragraph - problem solved. But good luck with that one...

a reply to: Gemwolf

Oh.

If you can't please everyone ...

Mentioned this a few times on search engine threads - I keep the old search engine link within my signature (see the -- ) for times that using that one comes in handy.

a reply to: Aleister

Thank you for that link !

A great checks and balances/plan B. !

a reply to: Gemwolf

For everyone reading this thread, the highlighted and linked post above is the single most important piece of information you will ever get in your entire LIFE. No, really! It is!