Moderators: Need search help! (1 Viewer)

NDhunter

Experienced observer

• Mar 30, 2009

• #1

I am new to this sight and have found it very educational. However there is one thing I would like to see improved. When using the search function, the minimum word length must be 3. Well, when looking for a binocular and part of the model is: EL, SL, ED, HD, BA, BN, SE, FL, the list is long, the error message comes up the search term is under the minimum word length of (3). This can be frustrating, as when searching on other internet websites, search is not limited to (3). I am sure that this could be changed, to at least allow a word length of (2). What do you think? Can you change it?

 

Last edited: Mar 30, 2009

delia todd

If I said the wrong thing it was a Senior Moment

Staff member

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Mar 30, 2009

• #2

Hi NDHunter

This issue was brought up a couple of months ago in this thread.

If you scroll down you'll find a post by Ollie (our techie guy).

D

 

rezMole

Well-known member

• Mar 30, 2009

• #3

If you search on "ED" you'd get millions of "hits" - every word ending in "ed" would be thrown up in addition to every word containing "ed". The search would take much longer and would slow down the servers. This would not be acceptable.

PS Site, in the context of your usage, is spelled "site" not "sight"

 

NDhunter

Experienced observer

• Mar 30, 2009

• #4

Most searches would include the Brand or whatever plus the 2 letter description. So don't worry about the searches with only "ED" etc. I hope you don't criticize every misspelling error or use of words that you see, on this website. Common courtesy please.

 

navman

Over the hill & Chillin out !!

• Mar 30, 2009

• #5

NDhunter said:

Most searches would include the Brand or whatever plus the 2 letter description. So don't worry about the searches with only "ED" etc. I hope you don't criticize every misspelling error or use of words that you see, on this website. Common courtesy please.

Click to expand...

I don't think it was a criticism, of your spelling, just a general observation! It did stand out like a sore thumb though! I generally check my posts before I send them 'up' just so you don't get comments like that, although I am sure we have ALL made mistakes in the past, and probably will in the future! |8)|

You shouldn't have a problem with searches if the 'search term' includes more than 3 letters, so if you use the brand name, + 'ED' for example (Zeiss ED) then it should be OK.

 

Last edited: Mar 30, 2009

Tero

Retired

• Mar 30, 2009

• #6

Put it in quotes, seach "Leica BN". If there are numbers and letters, try the whole string.
"Swarovski EL 8.5x42"

 

Kevin Purcell

Well-known member

• Mar 30, 2009

• #7

You can use Google search on a site for more flexible searching of birdforum.net too. Put site:birdforum.net to limit the search to the site.

The limitation here won't change. The forum code is from a third party and has that limitation built in.

The other alternative as Tero points out is to quote the phrase.

And calling people on spelling on the net is a waste of time

 

rezMole

Well-known member

• Mar 31, 2009

• #8

NDhunter said:

Most searches would include the Brand or whatever plus the 2 letter description. So don't worry about the searches with only "ED" etc. I hope you don't criticize every misspelling error or use of words that you see, on this website. Common courtesy please.

Click to expand...

No I don't usually - I did it this time because I noticed you'd already edited your post for grammar, yet this was a grammar error.