Search Help

[Marko]

When using the search function, it seems that a search string must be at least 4 characters long and anything shorter will be disregarded in your search. I discovered this while trying to look up ride reports, route recommendation, etc for some local FM roads. If you are unable to submit a 3 character search, it’s quite difficult to find info on quite a few FM roads. Is it possible to adjust this limit to allow 3 or maybe even 2 character searches? If not, is there an alternate way to search for this info?

Thanks

[Tourmeister]

Dang. Good point! I'll check into it and get back to you ;-)

[Tourmeister]

Marko, you might try using a wildcard with the number. For example, to find FM337 use FM*337 this way, the min character issue goes away. Let me know if that helps.

Adios,

[Marko]

Using the wild card seems to simply concatenated your to search arguments. For example, searching for 'FM*337' seems to be equivalent to searching for 'FM337'. While this gets some of the matches, it misses ones like 'FM 337'. One thing I've done with good success is to search by the name of a town that I know is on or close to a road, like Leakey. This method tends to return a few more threads than the FMxxx method.

[Tourmeister]

:tab The problem with short search strings is that they result in heavy server loads when going through the database. On some forums, malicious users would do searches for just "*" and that could kill the speed of the site for everyone else. A minimum of three characters seems to be the settled upon limit on most sites as a compromise. It would be cool if I could have a different minimum for different forums. Then I could reduce it for say the Roads & Routes section.

:tab When you are doing your searches, are you simply trying to locate a road or are you trying to find what people have said about those roads, or both?

[Squeaky]

The search function from the "home" screen (on the right, down about 4" from the top) doesn't locate records and apparently is searching the old site/software. Brings up an error on the old (blue background) screen.

Just me, or a mis-coded something-or-other?

[Tourmeister]

The portal page (the HOME page) has some relative link issues. I'll see if I can replicate it and get it fixed. You'll also notice when on the portal page, if you click the TWT Forums on the top, it just brings you right back to the portal. You have to click on the Forums link on the Navbar instead ;-) Working on that too...

[Tourmeister]

Squeaky, I can't get it to do what you mention :scratch:

Are you talking about the little Search box over on the far right? Not the one in the NavBar that goes across the top of the page.

[Squeaky]

This search:
http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/3866/this6bo.jpg

Makes this page:
http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/5687/makesthis4kl.jpg

[Tourmeister]

ahhh... now I see!

It only messes up if you click "GO" from that box. If you click the advanced search, and then enter the info it works. Hmmm... not sure how to figure out where that GO button is making it's link :scratch:

[Squeaky]

Hey, I just report the trouble. I have no idea what all that coding html fancy-shmancy stuff is about. :coffee:

[Rocket_Cowboy]

Whew ... finally something that I could fix. :D

Squeaky, give it a try now.

[Squeaky]

Yup, it's fixed. That was quick!

[Rocket_Cowboy]

I've been told that before. :uhoh:

:-D

[Tourmeister]

TMI!!! :shock: