Pelican's "Search" Function??????
 

How do I search for the actual string "no spark?" When I type in

no spark
"no spark"
'no spark'
no AND spark

I get everything that has the word "spark." I just want responses/threads with the string "no spark." For example, I do not want to see threads about spark plugs.

Thanks.

eeh,

have you tried to do what it says on the search form?
Basic query: separate your search terms with spaces.

Advanced query: Join words with AND, OR and NOT to control your search in more detail.
Add asterisks (*) to use wild cards in your search (*bullet* matches vBulletin etc.)

it's the NOT that would do the trick

Ok, I'll bite (and show my ingnorance). I too, don't understand how to use the function properly. I always have to sift through tons of threads that have just one word for which I am looking.

So, can you give the example of how he should be searching? you say it's the NOT that's key. How should it be typed in the search field?

Looks like it ignores anything shorter than 3 letters.

In fact, if you search for most 2 letter combos, it gives an error that it is too short.

2 letter words seem to be ignored without an error. I tried is, at, as, to and no, and got "no matches". If you put in something that isn't a word, like "ai" it gives this error:

"The search term you specified (ai) 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."

In other words, it's not a bug, it's a feature.

Tom

wires NOT spark
got me a list of threads where wires are discussed but no sight of the word spark

if you type in
wires not spark
you'll get a list with topics where combinations of the words wires,not and spark are used
although the not maybe ignored as mentioned above, dunno

wires AND spark will produce only topics in which both are used

if you want a decent search you should do something like

green AND wire NOT spark NOT plugs NOT red

yes the less than 4 letter words will not work in search. really sucks when you are searching for something like O2 sensors

Try "engine no go rmm rmm" Sparky mad, sparky go home.


Just trying to help

I think if you have a two letter word, you can add an asterisk to fake out the system.

no*spark (no spaces in that one) brings up no-spark

no* AND spark seems to hang it up...

The lack of a phrase search ("no spark") is a limitation of the current software used to run the BBS. I have no control over this, but I think that the next version (which has been "coming soon" for a year and a half) will support this.

-Wayne

Thank you guys. I have been doing MIS forever and I thought it was time for me to switch careers (maybe a "pimp").

The limitation really s_cks!

Wayne,

In our industry, excluding me, we do not use the term "limitation." The politically correct term is 'opportunity.'

and internally it's called an annoying bug we will fix at a later time,
read : when we feel like it , or when upper management makes a big deal out of it and tells us to drop everything to fix it

1+ million posts, lightning fast speed. You have to sacrifice one thing for another...

-Wayne

not dissing you Wayne, was referring to my own job !!

You know, I'm actualy working on something right now (today), and I may be able to incorporate this feature.

I'm re-writing our search engine to pull results from:

- Parts Database
- Catalog
- Technical Content
- DriveWerks Accessories
- Pelican BBS

based upon your search criteria. I just finished the BBS integration last night - I wonder how difficult it would be to add phrase searching to my search routine...

hmmm...

-Wayne

a phrase that can be a real problem is:
"CV joint"

hardly anyone discusses these by calling them "Constant Velocity joints", so the two-letter-word error will cause you to miss lots of good info.

I think I ended up using "joint AND axle"

using "joint" alone results in a bunch of unrelated 'nostatic' posts :D ...j/k

"FK Seats" is a bad search term too ! :).....

Wil Ferch