Search Query use and options

[Markmen]

I'm trying to use the Search Query to find a specific string exactly as it is found in a message. Nothing seems to work. Without the ability to seach on an exact string the search feature is nearly useless, at least for me. So, I must be missing something.

I've used quotes, I've used AND, I've used both options but I cannot find any string which I know exists.

[Markmen]

This seemed like a straight forward question so I'm surprised there have been no replies. Does this mean everyone has the same problem? Some feedback would really be helpful.

Are there better WS2 forums elsewhere?

[Devil]

I'm no expert on BBs, but the search function works fine on keywords. I don't think it keeps in its database phrases, only keywords, excluding all words that are common. For example, I tried it, in this forum, with 'thumbnail' and it came up with 8 responses from the text body of the messages.

[Markmen]

Devil,

Yes, it will find a single word, but from what I can tell, we cannot search for a string, that is, an exact match on two or more words exactly as they appear. Let's say I want to search for the phrase, "database phrases", minus the quotes. I don't see any way. And that limits the use of the forum, at least for me, in a big way. I do hope I'm wrong and that someone brighter than I will point it out to me.

Thanks,

[Devil]

By having a dynamic database of keywords, it works far faster than it would do without it, where it would have to search through thousands of messages each time. It's horses for courses. I suggest that, instead of seeking phrases, you use a single keyword for a quick search and two keywords with the AND operator for a more targeted, but slower, one.

[Markmen]

By having a dynamic database of keywords, it works far faster than it would do without it,

I don't agree with you.

We use computers to solve problems, to help not hinder us. While your statement is true, it doesn't do anything to help shed light on solving this problem and stops short of getting into any kind of detail. At least for me, detail goes right along with getting my students to creat DVD movies.

Building good interfaces requires good effort and thought for what the user has to stumble upon. If what you say is true, it tells me the people who designed this forum stopped short. It would be so incredibly easy to offer an Advanced option and it would not tax any system, not in the least.

Using AND as an operator does not help, not in the least. Seems to me the obvious answer is to continue to keep it simple as it is for most users but those who which to actually find something using more than one word, then offer an Advanced option which includes searching all text in a specific board. It could be limited to one board if they are paranoid the system will come to a halt. But it would not create problems with the database. I'm am an SQL database programmer and this would not tax this system at all unless someone designed it as slop. Looking at the number of messages here, even if the message base was ten thousand times what it is, creating a simple but constrained interface would do it, easy, simple and effective.

Seems to me the idea is to help those who have spent hundreds of dollars so they don't waste their time looking for a phrase and getting dozens of needless pages tossed at them. That's just ridiculous, and needless.

[Devil]

OK, the answer to your problem is so simple. phpBB is an open source software. As you are very obviously an expert in database programming, YOU write the Advanced option that you so desperately seek and donate your work to the open source community, which has already donated tons to get these and hundreds of others forums working. That would be so much more constructive than whingeing.

[Markmen]

Devil,

This is a commercial business, not a test tube for development. Ulead makes the decision to use what forum software they wish. That is their decision and their responsibility. All of it, anytime, any day, and by anyone, and certainly by customers. Any decent business wants feedback from customers. We're paid customers stating what is shared by others. There are reviews of this software which mention the same problem I’m talking about.

There are so many ways to achieve the professional result I'd like to see. It is basic. Hell, it could be done by limiting access to Advanced options to only those who are logged in at any one time. And how many would that be? Only a few. Have you considered that? It would be easy.

[Devil]