Using the Search Function on the Forums

[richhotrain]

One of our fellow members was trying to find an old thread that I started some years ago and could not find it using the Search the Community box on the right side of the page.

So, I thought that I would start this thread with a few thoughts in mind.

The problem with the Search function on this forum is not that it cannot find an old thread but that it list results in chronological order with the latest thread appearing first. So, it requires patience in scrolling down through threads, sometimes for several pages.

When using the Search function on the forum, it is usually better to key in fewer words than more words.

Hope this helps.

Rich

[gmpullman]

richhotrain

Hope this helps.

I hope so, too 

One of the other idiosyncrasies of the search is that it includes all the other Kalmbach magazines so if you search, say "Amtrak coach" everything comes up from Trains and Classic Trains, Garden Railways, etc.

Another problem besides the chronological order, instead of relevance is that the search results lists EVERY reply. So if there is a thread that has thirty replies including "Amtrak coach" it lists every single one.

Steven Otte mentioned an upgrade coming soon? Maybe some relief? Otherwise, stick to Google.

Cheers, Ed

[zstripe]

It is supposed to be functioning today, with the new customer service provider. I was missing some PM notifications to My e-mail and low and behold, they showed up today. So Rich, I did not delete them, they never showed up.

Take Care! 

Frank

 

[richhotrain]

zstripe

It is supposed to be functioning today, with the new customer service provider. I was missing some PM notifications to My e-mail and low and behold, they showed up today. So Rich, I did not delete them, they never showed up.

Take Care! 

Frank 

Thank goodness, Frank. That really soothes my feelings. 

Rich

[gregc]

as you probably know, a google search can be restricted to a particlar (web) site by specifying the site: keyword

site:cs.trains.com turntables richotrain rrinker

google is founded on their search capabilities.   Those capabilties include heuristics to provide results that people are most likely interested in rather something arbitrary such as chronological order.

i don't understand why commercial web sites build their own search engines.

in general, i think it's better to start with a lot of words and eliminate words to make searches more general later

[richhotrain]

gregc

as you probably know, a google search can be restricted to a particlar (web) site by specifying the site: keyword

site:cs.trains.com turntables richotrain rrinker

Of course, it helps to include 'h' twice in richhotrain. With the single 'h', only two results showed up, and Google asked, did I mean 'drinker' as opposed to 'rrinker'. LOL

BTW, how did I ever pick a screen name as lame as richhotrain? Somebody on the forum once suggested that it stood for RichHotRain. Again, LOL.

Rich

[kasskaboose]

Yes, while the search feature on this site is not very accurate, I agree that Google is far more valuable.  I found that sometimes doing a search for a term with trains.com in google generates results.  Guilty here for starting a new thread on an old topic after not being able to find it using the search feature here.

In other news: Google will someday become a househould name. 

[NeO6874]

kasskaboose

In other news: Google will someday become a househould name. 

 

 

You're about 10 years late on that one ... ;)

[peahrens]

richhotrain

The problem with the Search function on this forum is not that it cannot find an old thread but that it list results in chronological order with the latest thread appearing first. So, it requires patience in scrolling down through threads, sometimes for several pages.

And if you select an item down several pages, when you go back to the list is takes you to the top of page 1 again.  A very poor design.  Never use it anymore.

[richg1998]

I gave up the search function some years ago. Rather Poor.

Google is much better.

The powers that be will not address this either or put spell check here. But these forums are free.

Rich

[hobo9941]

"The problem with the Search function on this forum is not that it cannot find an old thread but that it list results in chronological order with the latest thread appearing first."

I don't have a problem scrolling through a bunch of threads. My problem with this search function is: "Your search returned zero results". So I broadened the search parameters and simply entered "IHC passenger cars". And still got the dreaded "Your search returned zero results". 

It didn't occur to me to use Google because I had seen the thread on this site some years ago. Anyway, thanks for all the help.

[richhotrain]

hobo9941

My problem with this search function is: "Your search returned zero results". So I broadened the search parameters and simply entered "IHC passenger cars". And still got the dreaded "Your search returned zero results". 

I wonder if it is a browser problem or some other such thing because I keyed in 'IHC passenger cars" and got tons of results. I stopped counting at 50 pages.

Rich

[zstripe]

hobo9941

I don't have a problem scrolling through a bunch of threads. My problem with this search function is: "Your search returned zero results". So I broadened the search parameters and simply entered "IHC passenger cars". And still got the dreaded "Your search returned zero results". 

Sounds to Me like You are using the wrong search function. If you use the one at the top in the black bar, You will get zero results. If You use the ''search the community'' function on the right farther down you will get over 50 or better hits, including this one.

Take Care! 

Frank

[richhotrain]

zstripe

 

hobo9941

I don't have a problem scrolling through a bunch of threads. My problem with this search function is: "Your search returned zero results". So I broadened the search parameters and simply entered "IHC passenger cars". And still got the dreaded "Your search returned zero results".  

Sounds to Me like You are using the wrong search function. If you use the one at the top in the black bar, You will get zero results. If You use the ''search the community'' function on the right farther down you will get over 50 or better hits, including this one.

Take Care! 

Frank 

ahh, good point, Frank. I'll bet that is what he is doing.

Yes, by all means, you need to use the Search Community box on the right side of the page, not the Search box in the black bar at the top of the page.

Rich

[hobo9941]

"Sounds to Me like You are using the wrong search function. If you use the one at the top in the black bar, You will get zero results"

Ummmm, so what exactly is the purpose of the search box at the top, in the black bar?

[richhotrain]

The search box at the top of the page inside the black bar is for Model Railroader magazine searches.

The search box on the right side of the page is for forum searches.

Rich

[doctorwayne]

It seems to me that new Members here are more adept at using the "Search" function than us oldtimers:  how else would you explain why so many first-posts are to threads which have been dormant for years?

Wayne

[richhotrain]

doctorwayne

how else would you explain why so many first-posts are to threads which have been dormant for years?  

I have pondered that question for years, Wayne, and, yes, most long-dormant posts are resurrected by first time posters. I have yet to find an answer it my question.   

Rich