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View Full Version : Suggestion - word length (search)

GLS
12-17-2005, 08:34 AM
I wish the search would allow smaller words down to 3 characters in lenght. There is always something I am searching for that is not allowed (i.e. GPS).

I know other forums allow smaller words. Is there a reason it does not allow it, takes too long?

Thanks
Ryan
snonut12
12-18-2005, 07:06 AM
Yep I am wondering the same thing. Alot of times I need to make search with short words to be able to effectively narrow down to what I am looking for, insteads of searching through 200+ threads.
BRL
12-18-2005, 07:42 AM
Hmmm, other VBulletin sites that I go to also didn't allow searches for 3 letters, so I just always assumed it was the software that didn't allow it. Maybe that is something Chuck can change for us, as there are many times that 3 letter words or acronyms are the key to a search.
festerw
12-18-2005, 07:51 AM
All you need to do is throw an * in after the term

For example instead of: GPS searh for: GPS*

Now you meet the 4 character requirement.
GLS
12-18-2005, 07:53 AM
Cool. Thanks for the tip festerw. That will make searching much easier:rockon
cat320
12-18-2005, 08:02 AM
Just woundering if you do that gps* will it look for exactly that and still not find gps? I know sometimes you look up stuff and if it's not exactly there in wording it will not find a thing.It be nice if you looked up something was if you had anypart of that word it could find it.
festerw
12-18-2005, 08:08 AM
The * works like a wildcard, you can add it before or after to search for words containing those letters.

Another example if you search for: eac* your results could include the words each or eachother.
Chuck Smith
12-18-2005, 03:28 PM
Yes, there is a reason..... I would have to rebuild the search index. Then, a search would be more labor intensive (for the server) because it would be searching ALL 3 letter words. I added ATV, and a few others that it WILL search for last time I rebuilt the index. Don't recall exactly which words, though I know there was a thread on it.... Guess I have to search LOL.

Another tip is to use AND. For instance, search for "best AND tire", or "erie AND pics" or "best AND plow". And as fester said, the wildcard (*) is a good tool also.

~Chuck