Search function limitations

[summers3d]

I've been frustrated by the search engine not letting me search for anything with less than 3 letters/numbers. In my search on H5 to H4 headlight conversions, this has been very frustrating, as neither one of those can be included in my search. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has run into this limitation...
-David

[SCWDP911]

Originally Posted by summers3d

I've been frustrated by the search engine not letting me search for anything with less than 3 letters/numbers. In my search on H5 to H4 headlight conversions, this has been very frustrating, as neither one of those can be included in my search. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has run into this limitation...
-David

I am glad someone else is too. I have had the problem a few times as well, most recently with a search for SC RS stuff.

[JohnJL]

"SC" "RS," any use of 2-digit years (which is how most people refer to their car in describing them, as in 'brakes on my 71 are crap,') 3.0, 2.7, 2.2, etc are also precluded and makes searching more difficult. Maybe someone has a way to do those searches? I suspect the 3-digit limit is used to limit the load wide-base searches put on discs and network.

[Wayne 962]

Yes, reducing the character count keeps the BBS running fast.

[RWebb]

One thing people can do is to embed longer strings in useful threads -- e.g. in a thread on SC RS, put in "SC-RS" and "SCRS" in any post on the thread.

Try to think about how the user will approach the device -- for CV it is harder but putting in "constant velocity" and "joint" and "axle" should help.

[Targa4now]

Originally Posted by summers3d

I've been frustrated by the search engine not letting me search for anything with less than 3 letters/numbers. In my search on H5 to H4 headlight conversions, this has been very frustrating, as neither one of those can be included in my search. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has run into this limitation...
-David

I have to agree here.

[Rrrockhound]

Download Google Toolbar and use the Search this Site function. End of problem.

[RWebb]

True - but no need to download Gtoolbar -- you can do it from their advanced search page -- just grab the Pelican bbs URL and plug it in with your terms.

I do use the G toolbar tho - very handy.

[Rrrockhound]

Actually, you don't even need to go to the advanced search page. Just use the "site:" tag. For example, putting "h5 site:pelicanparts.com" into Google will search Pelican for the term H5.

[summers3d]

Good advice. In the back of my mind I was thinking that somehow google must be able to help...
-David

[RWebb]

true Rrrockhound! You must be a FORTRAN programmer...

I will cop to dumming down the tip...

[450knotOffice]

Wow. Good info.