16 replies to this topic

[Pineapple]

Okay, in the never ending quest to make NerfHaven the ultimate forum resource for information and discussion, I've taken the initiative to perhaps amend or explore options to improve the NerfHaven search engine. Personally, it's the best thing since sliced FBR for me, and I have absolutely no problem using it. I love it as is.

Some posts as of late could have been resolved without even an extra post, had it been taken directly to the search feature. You could cross-reference modifications and reviews from the past back to the time of site creation, with a couple of keystrokes...keystrokes that often make their way to the boards in the form of redundant posts.

So gang, post your vote, and if there are any opinions as to make the search feature less intimidating/ easier to use, post 'em here. And...anyone who votes the last two answer options, please post here. We have a special surprise to give to you.

EDIT: added some more answers...addressing Iladar's self-research w/o needing the NH search feature. NO, he's not retarded either (just moved some answers around).


Making NerfHaven #1 as usual,

-Piney-

[Renegade]

The search feature is rather easy, only thing is the default date search of 30 days may confuse new members who've been a little anxious for their answers.

To NerfMonkey's post: Not faster, just less

Edited by Renegade, 08 April 2006 - 09:54 PM.

[NerfMonkey]

And...anyone who votes the last two answer options, please post here.  We have a special surprise to give to you.

I think the most common mistake when people actually do search is that they keep the parameters within the last 30 days. It would help to set the default parameters to something wider. Then anyone who doesn't know how to change them can sift through threads to find what they need and nobody's too lazy to do that, and people who do know how to change them can set them to whatever they like, the way they do now.

EDIT: Renegade types faster than me.

Edited by NerfMonkey, 08 April 2006 - 09:52 PM.

[NinjZ]

I would have to agree that changing the search peramiters would help solve a large portion of the redundant posts. However I think no matter what kind of changes are done, it wont solve the problem completely.

Edited by NinjZ, 08 April 2006 - 09:58 PM.

[Zach]

I find the search engine here rather easy, however I do believe that the default area to search should be all forums rather than to make the default the forum you were browsing before you went to search. I've had this thing little thing get me a couple of times.

Other than the area to search and the time when it was posted, I see nothing at all wrong with the search function.

~Zach

[Black Wrath]

The default parametres should be set to "Any Date" so that newbies don't have to think as much.

Even though I promote thought before action, sometimes in cases like these we just need to spoon feed the little bastards.

[m15399]

If possible, I would like to be able to search for terms less than 4 letters long. Apparently the search engine has never heard of FBR, BBB, NF, or any other abbreviations that are used more often than the real words. Since I can't search for those words, I may be missing some important topics.

[LordoftheRing434]

If possible, I would like to be able to search for terms less than 4 letters long. Apparently the search engine has never heard of FBR, BBB, NF, or any other abbreviations that are used more often than the real words. Since I can't search for those words, I may be missing some important topics.

Agreed wholeheartedly. Not everyone types out a full name for an object; abbreviations are loved around here. It would clear a lot up for people with confusion as to not being able to find, say for example a BBB mod. They'll post saying that it couldn't be found, when really they could have searched Big Bad Bow. It was a problem I had when I was new.

Aside from that, the search function hauls major ass on the forums. I also agree on setting the default perameter to "Any Date", just to make things easier.

[Illadar]

I choose the "oil" option, because, well quite frankly there have been all of maybe 5 times in the last year (that is to say April 8th 2005) that I have been compiled to search for something. Most all of the time, when I run into a Nerf related problem I can generally sort it out on my own. When the problem baffles me or I simply remember a thread that I want to re-read or now have reason to contribute too, I will search for it in Google via the nerfhaven search plug-in. I find that the plug-in works far better than the search function, which seems to have it in for me and my computers.

[Sage]

...I will search for it in Google via the nerfhaven search plug-in. I find that the plug-in works far better than the search function, which seems to have it in for me and my computers.

I seem to find that the Google searching method works in a bit more "user-friendly" manner than the standard search; sometimes the normal search on here just doesn't want to work for me.

I put "Certain features still puzzle me" on accident, and meant to put "I try to use it but still haven't got it down" mostly due to the fact that it doesn't always bring up what I want. Is it possible that using Firefox may conflict with the search on the Haven?

[Rambo]

I think the most common mistake when people actually do search is that they keep the parameters within the last 30 days.

I would have to agree that changing the search peramiters would help solve a large portion of the redundant posts.

The default parametres should be set to "Any Date" so that newbies don't have to think as much.

I think the most common problem is deciding which spelling of parameters to choose.
Anyway, I do agree though, I've run into problems in the past with that default, and I constantly forget to change it and end up having to wait 20 seconds . People sure jump on others a lot for searching, and theres a 20 second wait .

What's this NH plug-in on google? Link anyone? Do you just use www.nerfhaven.com as the portal to search?

Edited by RAMBO, 09 April 2006 - 01:34 AM.

[taita cakes]

Long live Firefox.

Me and CX put our collective sexual organs towards creating these a while ago.
1) Get Firefox.
2) Get some more search engines
3) Search.

Long live genetalia.

[Pineapple]

Is it possible that using Firefox may conflict with the search on the Haven?

Well, I've been using Firefox for a couple years now, and have had no conflicts. Then again, I'm also using a computer that burns fossil fuel and still runs Windoze 98. Your machine may take it differently.

A quick search found this thread on the subject, where Taita_cakes fabbed a plugin for NHQ.

It didn't take cxwq long to whip up his own right over here...

This link

Try that. The link is also directly on the thread about FF Plugins.


-Piney-

EDIT; boy oh boy, tait is sure fast on the trigger. Good one, buddy.

[Black Wrath]

The default parametres should be set to "Any Date" so that newbies don't have to think as much.

I think the most common problem is deciding which spelling of parameters to choose.

What can I say? I'm Canadian.

"re" is just a way of life up here.

[taita cakes]

Biggest tip of the century:
When googling, prefixing a word with "~" acts as a synonym finder

So when you guys are searching for "testicals", and not finding any, try searching for "~testicals" instead, and you might get many different results for balls. Perhaps ball guns. Also perhaps why some people stumble onto these forums and populate them.

And Piney, "fabbed"?

[z80]

Set parameters to any date and anyforum as default, and alot more noobies could find stuff.

Edited by z80, 09 April 2006 - 07:56 PM.

[Crankymonky]

I said I, "Try to use it, but still don't have it down." I do have it down, but voted this because of my infrequent use of it. I find it much easier and time efficient to ask THIRST. I do however use it frequently to find old posts or more detailed responses. So really, I guess my vote could be "I have it down," works fine for me, But I don't find too many times I find the need, and I think we can all agree I haven't been making posts asking for previously posted information, with only a few posts in the past few months.

Crank'