How to effectively search the forum.

[Cacao]

With the constant reposts of the same topics, I thought I would show the best way to currently search for forum content since, as you all know, the built in forum search doesn't work very well (hopefully it's being worked on). 

 

Basically just search google with the tag "linustechtips". Here's an example:

 

Let's say you want to make a thread asking people what their favorite game is, well if you search the forum you won't find much:

 

 

Yet if you search with google, you straight away find multiple threads on the subject:

 

 

So how about we do this to avoid unneeded topics until the search gets fixed?

[Frix]

Google always saves the day

[M-ursu]

I use google too.

[Joshua]

That is a good way of searching, but that shouldn't be necessary, the search function needs to be fixed.

[Kerplex]

Yes the search needs to be fixed, but there is no fix for people making the same thread when you can clearly see the same topic  on the first page.

[criso8]

Good to know. I know some sites have Google-powered searches on their own sites. Why doesn't ltt have something like that

[Austin Powers]

I usually use both google and the forum search engine if I can't get the accurate results/tags I wanted in the forum. I do like this in google search engine "<insert text here> linus".

[Cacao]

I usually use both google and the forum search engine if I can't get the accurate results/tags I wanted in the forum. I do like this in google search engine "<insert text here> linus".

Doesn't work as well ;) Mainly because google picks up Linus as Linux.

 

[tobben]

"how to effectively search the forum"  let's not use the forum and search for the forum on something else entierly ... love it :p

[Cacao]

"how to effectively search the forum"  let's not use the forum and search for the forum on something else entierly ... love it :P

I meant it more like "How to effectively find content on the forum", just I wanted to make sure people understood what the topic is about.

[Austin Powers]

Doesn't work as well ;) Mainly because google picks up Linus as Linux.

Ah screw it, I guess I have to type the forum name keyword after all :(

[tobben]

I meant it more like "How to effectively find content on the forum", just I wanted to make sure people understood what the topic is about.

heh i figured that comment might be misunderstood, i simply found the whole workaround hilarious, nothing wrong with the title, just the fact that your solution to finding  specific content on the forum is to just bypass the forum entierly as it's just that bad.

[Vitalius]

IKR? 

I believe part of the problem is that people do not use tags enough. Some use them, but most do not. :|

For example, you did not. 

Just saying.

[Cacao]

IKR? 

I believe part of the problem is that people do not use tags enough. Some use them, but most do not. :|

For example, you did not. 

Just saying.

But the thing is you shouldn't have to use tags and it shouldn't be the reason for the search not working. The 'tags' should already be in the title and what you say, as you can see google obviously got their algorithms to pick up search results based upon the content of the thread, LTT also does this, just not very well. Maybe it would be possible to implement a 'google powered' search?

[Vitalius]

Maybe it would be possible to implement a 'google powered' search?

This is the question I ask myself every single time I find a poor forum search engine. "Why not just use Google?" :|

[TheProfosist]

You can search a specific site using google by typing "site:linustectips.com How to effectively search the forum"

[Vitalius]

You can search a specific site using google by typing "site:linustectips.com How to effectively search the forum"

If you know the right commands, you can watch public CCTV cameras anywhere in the world. Just an FYI. Completely random and awesome.

You would be surprised how many are unprotected (Thousands). 

[TheProfosist]

You can search a specific site using google by typing "site:linustectips.com How to effectively search the forum"

If you know the right commands, you can watch public CCTV cameras anywhere in the world. Just an FYI. Completely random and awesome.

You would be surprised how many are unprotected (Thousands). 

its not cctv if you can view it from the web by my definition.

[Vitalius]

its not cctv if you can view it from the web by my definition.

My bad. You know what I mean however, I am sure.

[rashdanml]

Actually, the LTT forums search works well - if you enclose your search query in double/single quotes. It works for very specific searches. The trick is knowing what to search for, combined with looking through recent topics (if it's a news item from within a week).

[Samdb]

It would help if everybody would tag their topics.

[Vitalius]

It would help if everybody would tag their topics.

Thank you.

[Esivo]

IKR? 

I believe part of the problem is that people do not use tags enough. Some use them, but most do not. :|

For example, you did not. 

Just saying.

Just this.

 

People don't use tags. I have posted A LOT of threads on the "News" section only to find out that it was posted after I searched multiple times, and reason was, there were no tags. Since the search function is a bit broken and doesn't read titles I think we should all just realise that, and start using tags, it will make everyone's life easier.

[SubTract]

If everybody started using Tags it might help but it wouldn't fix the problem.

The simple fact is that the search function on this forum really needs needs to be improved. 

Its Pretty shocking even if a thread is tagged if the words you're searching for aren't tagged you still don't get a result.

 

I think this thread should be stickied. 

[Calavera]

Glad I am not the only one concerned about reposts.