Search Function

baddarryl · #1 11-01-2008, 09:16 AM

No matter what I search on I get this:
"The search term you specified (of) is under the minimum word length (3) and therefore will not be found. Please make this term longer.

If this term contains a wildcard, please make this term more specific."

Whats up? I would have put this in the Cust service forum, but saw it had little activity. Mods move if need be. Thanks.

anderbass · #2 11-02-2008, 04:52 PM

I just typed the term Search Function into the Google Search TB widow and got all these threads: http://www.google.com/custom?domains...ORID%3A1&hl=en that should help ya.

**paul** · #3 11-03-2008, 11:44 AM

Give me an example of a word you're trying to search for, that gives you that error -

blackandwhite · #4 11-14-2008, 04:15 PM

Hi, I've had the same question. How about a search for 'G&L'? Three characters, and too short! Same for TBC or any search term less than 4 characters. It is a function of the forum software...

One solution:
Enter this exactly in a Google search box: "g&l" site:talkbass.com

this link helped:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=187356

I tried it for G&L, and ATK, and this looks like a good alternative for short search terms.

Now, how aobut a sepll chk?

**Stumbo** · #5 11-19-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackandwhite

Enter this exactly in a Google search box: "g&l" site:talkbass.com

Or: talkbass.com: "g&l"
If you add a year (e.g. 2008) after the search term, you can somewhat limit the number of hits.

Dave Muscato · #6 12-14-2008, 05:44 AM

I get that, too, when searching for MTD, Zon, etc. I don't like simply using the Google search function instead of the phpBB internal search, because it searches the whole site, which is not as useful (for example, if you want to restrict your search to the Classifieds forum, and only in thread titles). Is there a way to just remove the 3-character minimum? I'm not really sure what purpose it serves, LOL.

**Stumbo** · #7 12-15-2008, 01:02 AM

It seems the TB search function is not very powerful or efficient so to get around tying up the server and having to index less than 3 character words, the programmers decided to put limitations on their search function.

Google programmers have zillions of servers and probably better algorithms.

Edit: I just tried Google search using MTD "for sale" 12 2008. It seems to do pretty much what you want, Dave.

**paul** · #8 12-15-2008, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Muscato

I get that, too, when searching for MTD, Zon, etc. I don't like simply using the Google search function instead of the phpBB internal search, because it searches the whole site, which is not as useful (for example, if you want to restrict your search to the Classifieds forum, and only in thread titles). Is there a way to just remove the 3-character minimum? I'm not really sure what purpose it serves, LOL.

You should have no trouble searching for "MTD" or "Zon" - give it a shot... Three characters is no problem. Indexing all *2* letter words would increase server loads by a HUGE margin, that's why it only indexes down to 3 letter words. "G&L" won't work though because the "&" is not interpreted by PHP as an operator, not a letter.