Search Feature: Are We Missing Something Here?
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The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
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You posted a link to this in another thread? (Just click more options)
More options? I can't even find that. You can't use the search box unless you make an entry.
And in reference to another thread elsewhere that brought me back to here though I can't remember where, Max asked "if these search options were really useful" because... hell yes they are!
When searching for obscure mapping informations from back when the NSTR (one!) was released, *cough*particlesystems*cough* it's the only way to find any information sometimes. Particularly when I know who has written some juicy bit of trivia which I need!
Why? That's not what you asked.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->how do we access this here?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You're probably hinting that they should add a link to it somewhere. Say that instead.
The link is obviously missing from the header for advanced search options and we still don't know why. The how was answered with a link, but the link needs to be returned to its default location in the header (or wherever they decide to place it) so that members can use it - it's doing little good buried here in this thread. <img src="http://www.nsmod.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" />
<ol type='1'><li>Do a search for "blksjfdlksdjf" (Or whatever, so long as you get 0 results)</li><li>Then click "Search Again" </li><li>Then click "More options"</li></ol>
Basically, if you can get to <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?act=search" target="_blank">this page</a>, you can get to the advanced page (see step three above.)
You can also get to the above mentioned page by clicking the little drop down menu at the bottom-right of the screen.
Bottom line is if your advanced search feature is not easily accessible and users find it cumbersome to use they simply won't use it. This results in members getting frustrated, and even duplicate posting. It's difficult for me to comprehend why a forum with a userbase as large as we have here (and as much data as there is to search for) cannot make it easier on its members.
But this is only part of a larger issue. In an attempt to keep the header uncluttered and menu-less the members themselves are missing out on so many of the fine features that Invision Power Board provides. This saddens me deeply.
The dropdown menu on the bottom left of the page is for switching forums btw.
I agree here, particularly given the moderators love of locking threads and then telling people to search for that because it's been done to death or something. <span style='color:#000000;background:#000000'>A policy I don't really agree with all the time, given a couple recent examples where the material <i>hasn't</i> been done to death, <i>wasn't</i> flamebait and hasn't even been discussed much in the last year or so. The user was too new to know better and tried to start what he thought was an interesting discussion, and instead, had the door slammed in his face before any discussion could happen. He was basically told he's too newb to post here and that he should do a search before posting. Yeah, that helps the playerbase. If I got that, I'd probably never post again. Pardon the off-topic rant, it's not a rampant problem by any means, but struck me as the type of snobbery ns <i>has</i> developed over the years, and yes, in game is the same way much of the time. Anyway, just something to be aware of every once in a while. (Don't get me wrong. In many cases, they can't lock the real flame-bait/war fast enough it seems. This only happened a couple times, but was enough for me to flinch when I seen it happen.)</span> <-- Spoiler tag to avoid irony. Ha!
Anyway, even if a "search options" link was available beside or below the search box that lead to the main search page that would be okay (with the "more options" button for the advanced searches) that would be great. I can understand having a nice clean interface that is simple to use, and I actually love that, but at the same time that means keeping the commonly used options easy to find! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
Also: Here's the biggest reason to have a "real" search link. Having a real "link" to do searches with, so that I can middle click it and open it in a new tab <i>while</i> I'm writing a freaking post (when I want to go back and make sure I know what I'm talking about for example.) That "search" button up there doesn't allow me to do that. It really turns into a 4-5 click process to search then. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" />