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RBolton · 10-13-2008, 06:59 PM

How in the h*** does the search function work? I've been a member of the forums for a while and rarely miss a day without checking in. But, very often I see a member with a question and someone (usually a moderator) will suggest that the poster use the seach function. Well lotsa luck. It's no wonder that posters ask questions that have been answered over and over again. If I enter fly fishing or Hensley Hitch or my mother's maiden name I get almost the same list of apparently unrelated threads. I have read posts that later on I want to review but did not subscribe to and I'll be darned if I can find them. What am I doing wrong? I just hope that after ya'll explain it that I don't fell even dummerer. Roger

Oh, and please don't think that I typed this in any particular tone of voice. One should read the printed word in a monotone voice so as not to misinterperate the writers mood or level of FRUSTRATION!

**azflycaster** · 10-13-2008, 07:05 PM

I have had the best success with the Google search option. If you are looking for something like fly fishing (great choice), put quotes around it. I just did the Google search for "fly fishing" and got just a little over 100 hits.

CanoeStream · 10-13-2008, 07:46 PM

The vBulletin search function could return a myriad of confusing hits if you use more than one search word. So use single words but browse around for possibly related search words. In advanced search, it is fairly useful if you have an approximate idea of at least one member who posted in a thread or if you want returns sorted either as threads or posts. I still use it for 2/3d's of my searches.

The google searches on this site can give general results but at least you can search multiple words or (by surrounding in quotes) "an exact phrase." See http://www.airforums.com/forums/show...9&postcount=20

It never hurts to ask, "Does anybody know where...?" Especially if the search king, 2airishuman, is online.

netlace · 10-13-2008, 08:18 PM

Your right about the search function. Limit your words to the important keyword and use the advance seach. Search only titles.

CanoeStream · 10-13-2008, 08:25 PM

netlace, I will frequently search in posts too -- but then I only want to see the returns as posts, not titles. It's too hard with title returns to dig through multipage long threads looking for the one word. But this advice only works if you aren't using a common word. But you'll find exact posts if, for instance, you search on rotdoctor and posts by CanoeStream.

Frank's Trailer Works · 10-14-2008, 03:32 AM

Just ask your question and let those that know share their knowledge with you...

All searches DO lead to same old threads. Search anything and you will get "It's Thursday and...." Any topic, it will appear.

ByamCaravanner showed me how to search the easy way. Go to Google and type Airforums; and the search. Works very well. Sometime you still get "It's Thursday...." or " A new game..." but much less frequently.