improving search function - input appreciated

Mornin' herpizens!

We're currently in the process of reviewing a number of things and one of the items I came across that could stand improving is the ability of the search function to snag smaller terms in its results. By default the search engine has a minimum searchable word length of 4 characters, but there are an awful lot of 3 character words which it would be very useful to include in searches. So while currently you could search successfully for "eggs" you would not be able to search for "egg".

I would like to get your input and suggestions on some shorter phrases and acronyms that would be useful to have included in search results. Some of these (BP, BCI, LEO and a few others) have already been added to the exceptions list - but we KNOW there are a lot more that could and SHOULD be included and with our collective efforts I am sure we could come up with some awesome suggestions.

As always your input is not only appreciated but helps improve the site on a daily basis, from input such as this to the constant stream of helpful advice!

Continued thanks!

How about CGD (crested gecko diet)? Dang, that's all I can come up with right now. :oops:

Boa, CHE, rot, eye, eat, box, rat, jaw, pit(heat pits) to name a few.

Ok, my brain is working (slightly) so here's a few more.... het, bm, uva/uvb, f/t, vet.

Nice Raj!! :clap: But dang you took some of mine. CURSE YOU!! lol. ;) :giggle:

I think "Raj" would be an excellent word to include! :D

Rofl, you guys! :D :pinkele: :tongue2: :colbert2:

I don't really care for the "wait 30 seconds before your next search" feature...

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

I don't really care for the "wait 30 seconds before your next search" feature...

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Halved.

If the server load kicks up too much it will have to be reset though.

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

I don't really care for the "wait 30 seconds before your next search" feature...

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That feature is to reduce "stress" on the server due to the SQL queries. ;)

Edit: nevermind, Matt got to it before I did.

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Originally Posted by iceman25

That feature is to reduce "stress" on the server due to the SQL queries. ;)

Edit: nevermind, Matt got to it before I did.

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Raj is so uber there SHOULD be a RAJ included in the search!!

I'll be keeping an eye on server load to ensure it doesnt affect overall site performance.

Site performance > re-search timeout

BCI
BCC
JCP
LEO
ATB
GTP
CBB
CB
CH
WC
EGG
FT
PK
RI
UTH
BRB
PM
TUB
BIN
DIY
HET
IBD
POP
RTB
UVA /B /C

pardon any repitition - just copying from a scrap of paper

How about Cue? I am sure people would like to search to find out what's going on with his belly or mental disorders :)

Poo?

poo is a good one

cue > poo (the poll proves that!)

(there's always the "find all posts by _____")

Is there some way to link to members' names in the advanced search? For example, I was looking for some posts by Becky on internal parasites, and I mis-spelled her name, so I had to go to the member's list and copy it and try again.

Same thing one time looking for a post I remembered by Adam - I forgot to put the _ and for the life of me couldn't remember exactly how his user name displayed (I do now! LOL).

Just a thought!

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Is there some way to link to members' names in the advanced search? For example, I was looking for some posts by Becky on internal parasites, and I mis-spelled her name, so I had to go to the member's list and copy it and try again.

Same thing one time looking for a post I remembered by Adam - I forgot to put the _ and for the life of me couldn't remember exactly how his user name displayed (I do now! LOL).

Just a thought!

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You can go to the member profile and chose the "find all posts by .. " or "Find all threads started by" option to get a list of those - but I don't think that is what you meant.

If you meant was there some selectable field (like a drop down box) you could choose form the advanced search page which could be selected so that the search could be narrowed down, unfortunately no. There is the text field you can plug the users name into, but as you stated that is prone to misspellings.

Sometime down the line I could look into options of recoding/modding which would allow this, but the downside there is the dropdown list would be 2600 names long and I am skeptical whether that could be pulled off without a serious performance hit - even if it only affected you on the client side.

:( sorry

Hey, I'm no worse off than if I didn't ask! ;)

PAM. This one is a definate!

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Originally Posted by gmmuscle91

PAM. This one is a definate!

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Nice one! :sweeet:

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Originally Posted by Smulkin

Nice one! :sweeet:

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Thanks. I was lookin through this post and didnt see it and figured it is probably searched for a lot so I mentioned it.

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Originally Posted by gmmuscle91

PAM. This one is a definate!

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cooking gear???? :giggle:

This may already be known to you, but when I search for three letter words, all I have had to do is type an asterisk at the end of the word and it comes up.

For example Boa = Boa*, BCI = BCI*

The only downfall for this is that it doesn't work with two letter words and sometimes if the three letter word is part of longer word, then that shows up in the search. Ex: bin* will show results for bin and binder.

Just some search info.