Search Function

[Crannys]

Search Function

Why Use the search function?

Why should you use the search function instead of creating a new thread? The simple reason is that if you use the search function then you will be given your answer at least 75% of the time. It also stops filling the forum up with the same thread time after time and lets experinced members find questions that are not answered by the Search Function.


Using the Search Function

How do I use the Search Function? It is realitivily simple and lets you display your results in 2 ways. I shall explain how to use the basic Search Function and the Advanced Search in the below images.


Where do I find the Search Function?

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/Chris_Scotland_09/SearchTextatTopofscreen.png


Basic Search Function

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/Chris_Scotland_09/ClickingtheSearchArrow.png


Displaying the Results

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/Chris_Scotland_09/PostSearchPage.png

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/Chris_Scotland_09/ThreadSearchPage.png


Advance Search

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/Chris_Scotland_09/TopofAdvancedSearch.png

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv308/Chris_Scotland_09/BottomofAdvancedSearch.png

If you have any idea's onto improving the guide then PLEASE tell me. I know that it is rather basic right now and would like idea's on how to improve the guide to help everybody.

[Tullia]

some comments on how to improve search terms to come up with good/relevant threads might be useful

images should perhaps be scaled down a tad ;)

[hfhno1]

if it doesnt come up how do you start a new thread?

[Crannys]

some comments on how to improve search terms to come up with good/relevant threads might be useful.

images should perhaps be scaled down a tad ;)

Ok will add it in after Christmas. Also when you say scaled down do you mean used less or made smaller?


if it doesnt come up how do you start a new thread?

Its more of a guide on how to use the search function and it is generally taken for granted that you can create a new thread. For this moment I will tell you, Look in the top lef tcorner of a forum section, Above the threads but Below the Banner.

[Tullia]

Ok will add it in after Christmas. Also when you say scaled down do you mean used less or made smaller?

Made smaller; these stretch the page a bit :( Some judicious cropping should sort that though. It's a shame you did the images with the Christmas skin though, as that could be confusing for new users.

Some useful information that might help you add in the bit about how to optimise your search:

The current search settings for this forum are:

Minimum Time Between Searches = 0
Search Results Posts Per Page = 25
Maximum Search Results to Return = 500
Search Index Minimum Word Length = 3
Search Index Maximum Word Length = 20
Similar Threads Relevance Threshold = 2.5
Words to be excluded from search = Travian
Allow Search Wild Cards = Yes [symbol used = *]
Search Relevance Multi-Word Match Bonus Score = 15
Search Relevance Date Score = 15
Search Relevance Thread Title Score = 15
Search Relevance Post Title Score = 15
Search Relevance Reply Score = 0.1
Search Relevance View Score = 0.01

Search Relevance Reply Function, Search Relevance Views Function and Search Relevance Rating Function are all set to "none".


Hopefully you should be able to come up with some useful suggestions from that [and indeed it will allow people to make their threads more "search friendly" too.