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How to effectively search the forums to prevent repeat threads?? — Parallax Forums

How to effectively search the forums to prevent repeat threads??

uxoriousuxorious Posts: 126
edited 2009-02-14 08:38 in General Discussion
I am having trouble using the search function on the forum. It seems like every time I put more than one keyword in the search box, I get zero matches. I have tried all different ways of entering (yes, I used the comma). For example, I know of a post a while back titled "Parallax Advertising Policy" and can see it if I go to page 5 of the Sandbox forums. However, no matter how I enter the three words into the search box, I can only get the posting to show up if only one of the words is entered.

I was looking for a posting that i know I found once before about LR-44 batteries, but cannot find it to save my life. Rather than start a new thread, I would like to renew the existing line of discussion.

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~~ dRu ~~

Comments

  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-02-10 23:47
    There is a sticky about this...

    I just like to use google. You do something like this

    LR-44 site:forums.parallax.com

    For threads that I really want to keep (like ones I start), I subscribe to them. Then there is a nice list under 'Control Panel'.
  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2009-02-11 00:18
    The best Search isn't the Search button in the upper-right corner of the masthead.

    http://search.parallax.com

    If you do your due diligence that way then you're reasonable.

    Post Edit -- here's all what I found on LR44 batts:

    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=524471
  • PhilldapillPhilldapill Posts: 1,283
    edited 2009-02-11 03:31
    Ohhh the irony. How many times has this same subject come up because new users can't search the threads to find out how to search the threads? LOL

    I believe Chris Savage or Beau from Parallax said that the forum software is going to be ported to a new format with a better search feature, soon.(or was it Ken Gracey?)
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-02-11 03:59
    Ah, found it. The thread on how to search is in the support forum:

    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=562370
  • uxoriousuxorious Posts: 126
    edited 2009-02-11 08:26
    Thanks to all, that's what I was looking for.

    Maybe the forum's search page should include a note:

    "For other forum search methods, see this thread: http://forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=13&m=100624"

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    ~~ dRu ~~
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2009-02-11 18:06
    dRu,

    Even if the search engine were working, I estimate 75% of the repeat questions would still exist. Ultimately, a FAQ or knowledge base would be ideal, but linking to it would really depend on everyone knowing what was in it. Sometimes it’s just easier to answer the same question again. =)

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Engineering
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2009-02-11 21:57
    dRu:

    I'm with Chris, ask your questions..

    Those of us who have been in these forums forever generally take turn answering the
    repeat questions. If someone is feeling run-down by the same question, they will
    generally wait and let someone else take it next time. [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    Of course with knowledge comes great responsibility...

    OBC

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  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-02-11 22:08
    I'm quite optimistic about the newly stickied FAQ page. With some good formatting and a downloadable PDF, I think that it can significantly help with common questions. Of course, if there was a link to it from product pages (when it gets more mature) then that would be even better.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2009-02-13 17:16
    We’ll keep an eye on the thread and if it starts to become a useful tool and contains enough information I don’t see any reason we couldn’t create a link to it. Take care.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Engineering
  • uxoriousuxorious Posts: 126
    edited 2009-02-13 19:03
    Thanks Chris.

    FYI, I wasn't referring to this thread for the link. The one I listed is the thread with the instructions on how to use the search.parallax.com and Google search methods.

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    ~~ dRu ~~
  • rjo_rjo_ Posts: 1,825
    edited 2009-02-14 06:45
    Repetition is a very important part of the learning process. The irony could be that a new and improved search engine will actually reduce net learning.

    I made a pun[noparse]:)[/noparse]

    Thank God... until then, I hadn't made anything today... except a transistor tester that doesn't actually work[noparse]:)[/noparse]
  • Carl HayesCarl Hayes Posts: 841
    edited 2009-02-14 08:38
    What's the harm in repeat threads? They'll repeat at a rate proportional to the general interest anyway, each time with something new.

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    · -- Carl, nn5i@arrl.net
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