MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: BigJules on October 14, 2011, 08:29:38 AM
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The discussion started in another topic about the use of the search function on the forum. Search is hugely useful, allowing one to find information about every topic that has been discussed.
The question was asked "should one just use search and not ask a question, if it had been answered?". I would say no, not generally, but using search might mean you can ask a better question, a targetted question, or might cause you to ask an indivisual(s) for their experiences over time, based on what they posted before, rather than relying on them to see your question and answer it.
Some questions have been asked and answered to death. BFG v Cooper, Waeco v Engel. Unless there is a new model in their range, we just don't need another thread on these, it is post whoring by most who answer. Other forums, LCOOL for example, are really hot on this and close down most discussions that have been done and won.
Search works. If you don' get a result the first time, try another angle. D4D demonstrates this regularly, and I thank him for it.
So, a request to use search is not to stop members asking questions, rather a reminder that there is already some terrific information available and maybe your post will be "I wanted.., I found.., I bought.. and here is how that worked out for me". Those posts, with outcomes, add significantly more to the forum.
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Can I add to this, if the forum search function is not giving you the results you require you can search this forum using google and it usually gives more results....
For example if we want to search cruiser vs patrol we would type into google
cruiser vs patrol site:http://myswag.org/forum/index.php
Or just go to the advanced google search and use the parameters there.
One thing that I admire about this site is when someone new does post a new thread such as Cooper vs BFG the members are generally polite in posting other related threads or even answering the question. Most other forums there is usually several nasty replies telling the new person how useless they are etc etc.
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For example if we want to search Smileys we would type into google
smileys site:http://myswag.org/forum/index.php
Actually its shorter than that ;)
You dont need the Forum/index... :)
smileys site:http://myswag.org/ cause there is nothing more than the forum.
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But what about BFG v Engel ? :D
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some search ideas specific for this forum. Seems Modifiers can be used.
a copy and paste from the wiki, which can be found here - http://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/ (http://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/)
While you can just type (and search for) any combination of characters, you should consider using modifiers to make your search really work for you.
The simple search field located at the top of the default SMF theme will, when viewing topics filter search results to just that topic. The same thing goes for boards as well, when viewing a board the simple search field will filter what you searched to just results in that particular board.
Simple search
To use the simple search (if enabled), the basic syntax outlined above is all you really need to know. But you might also like to know that this tool searches the entire forum for any or all of what you specify that's been posted during the last 9999 days (which is more than 27 years)! So, to take more control of your search, you should use the advanced search feature.
Advanced search
Although the advanced search screen might initially seem a little intimidating if a forum has many boards and child boards, it's surprisingly straightforward when reduced to its basic components.
* Some forums show the navigation tree at the top in a space-saving horizontal mode.
* Despite initial appearances, there are really three options for how to search, with Match all words and Match any words being available from the drop-down, and "Match as phrase" still being available.
* The default * in the by user field is essentially a wildcard matching any poster. Please note that, while you can replace this with any single username for a more specific search, it's not currently possible to search for posts by multiple users except as that single wildcard.
* Show results as messages returns the full message containing the search string (with a reply option) instead of the usual linked excerpt, but will naturally result in much larger results pages which might be significant if you are searching for a popular word or phrase.
* Message age sets the minimum and maximum ages of posts to search.
* Choose a board to search in provides you with another tool to narrow the scope of the search, with the default being 'all' (the whole forum or, more properly, all the boards to which you have read access).
* The Search button not surprisingly sets the whole thing in motion, but hitting 'Enter' direct from any of the search fields is sometimes more convenient.
Modifiers
Using the simple or advanced search methods, you can still use search modifiers. That is, powerful special characters which modify the way SMF handles your search string.
* Phrase search - use double quotes (") around your term ("search term") to search for the search term as a phrase instead of individual words.
* Excluding terms - use a minus sign in front of terms you'd like to exclude from the search result. For instance, "search -term" will search for "search" but not "term". The minus sign must have a space prior to it.
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But what about BFG v Engel ? :D
my money would still be on the engel :)
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my money would still be on the engel :)
Only if it has sharp edges.
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Why use the search facility, just read the whole shebang from end to end. Your sure to find it eventually. Your also sure to have a laugh while reading it all too till the missus realises you have been on the puter for about 3 weeks and you haven't reached the electrical section yet.
Why shorten it, there is much goodness in the myswag community clothesline. :cheers:
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What was this topic about.???????????????????? ;D :angel:
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What was this topic about.???????????????????? ;D :angel:
(http://blkmav.com/stuff/search.gif)
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What was this topic about.???????????????????? ;D :angel:
Maybe you should start a topic to see if there has been a topic on search.
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fair call I say ;D
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http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=17011.0;topicseen
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http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=17011.0;topicseen
(http://blkmav.com/stuff/funny.jpg)
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I have to admit it does get a bit annoying when you see a question come up that you know you answered only a couple of days before. However it does not excuse nasty behavior, so just a friendly reminder (accept the fact that not everyone knows how to use the search function) or a copy of the link is all that is needed.
What also helps is to read the stickies!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5747059790837116893
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(http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd234/cremo1/Smileys/google.gif)
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http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Search+-+use+of+site%3Amyswag.org
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http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Search+-+use+of+site%3Amyswag.org
That was a bit freaky Symon ;D
Cheers
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http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Search+-+use+of+site%3Amyswag.org
Now Simon that was very clever, but you should be spending all of your time on the much awaited video.
:cheers: Hutchie