Why is the ATS search system still so antiquated!?!

This website has been around for quite a while, yet the "search" function is still almost utterly useless. No ability to sort or search by date, forum, etc. Look for a particular topic, only to find 10,000 results and no ability to refine it down. I am not a computer whiz, but would it not be relatively easy to implement some user-friendly functions? Please make it easier to search topics :/

Originally posted by jburg6
This website has been around for quite a while, yet the "search" function is still almost utterly useless.

The mods can be quite sharp as well with their exhortations to use the search function.

Unfortunately, it is next to useless. The mods must know that.

Funny that you say that.

Now the site uses Google search to do a custom search of the site.
However it's not so good.

I suggest using the following query in Google.

site:abovetopsecret.com yoursearchtermhere

I see this complaint quite a bit, but I seem to do quite well with the ATS search function. I also use google to search ATS. That works good too.

The problem for me comes if I'm searching to see if something has been posted already. The thread title could be anything the OP names it, except in Breaking news, and that sometimes makes it hard to find. But that isn't the fault of the search engine.

Originally posted by grey580
Funny that you say that.

Now the site uses Google search to do a custom search of the site.
However it's not so good.

I suggest using the following query in Google.

site:abovetopsecret.com yoursearchtermhere

In which case, you'd get the exact same thing as using the search function here. That's what using "Google search to do a custom search of this site" is. Anybody can implement that on any site.

People tend to just type in a term and expect the search engine to figure out what they want. The better the search terms, the better the result. Often the search fails because the search terms are lame. In other words, it's not the Search's fault; it's the users'.

Get a little creative. There are instructions to the right. Use Boolean Logic and parentheses to create a specific search. Use "and" "or" and "not" in ways that make sense to include and exclude what you want. There's nothing wrong with the search engine here. It's just that people are too lazy to do anything but type in a word or two and have it magically return the exact results they are looking for. Take a few minutes to explore how to use the feature and your results will improve exponentially.

CPU intensive maybe? Script kiddies can really exploit this kind of thing.

Being able to search by time would be nice. It's always a bit annoying to get threads on the 1st page dating back to 2003.

The search function is fine. You just have to be smarter than it. If you want to post a story about zombie grasshoppers don't just search zombie. Or do what I do and ignore the thing and all the idiots that snidely remind you that there is a search function. I'm of the opinion anyone being a smartass about it should get their post removed. Maybe that would help with all the awful intros starting with 'Mods I did a search if this has been posted...'