Using the Search Feature on FlyerTalk: The Definitive Thread

[GrizShel]

Originally Posted by Canarsie

Common words, such as “best”

Words or numbers with fewer than four characters

****

Aha! So that's why I have wasted time trying to search for threads with airport codes, etc. Unfortunately, this is a big deficiency for Flyertalk since most flyertalkers rarely spell out a lot of key words, and the abbreviations are frequently fewer than 4 characters.

[Tim at WebFlyer]

Originally Posted by GrizShel

Aha! So that's why I have wasted time trying to search for threads with airport codes, etc. Unfortunately, this is a big deficiency for Flyertalk since most flyertalkers rarely spell out a lot of key words, and the abbreviations are frequently fewer than 4 characters.

This is due to problems that a 3 character search can cause. Specifically stress on the server. One way to get around this that might be mentioned in the faq is the Google search which can do 3 letter word searches and can be found at:

http://www.flyertalk.com/google_search.php

Thanks,

[Canarsie]

As of the time this has been posted, the organization of the information in this thread is not complete, nor has all of the information been included in this thread just yet. However, the bulk of the necessary information is currently included in this thread. You may now start asking questions or asking for a tutorial about how to do a specific search, or you may post your tips and tricks on successfully searching for information on FlyerTalk.

Thank you in advance.

[mitchell]

Any ideas on how to search for historical data on SFO-NRT fare sales in the past? I'm trying to figure out if a SFO-NRT $562 all-in is worth posting.

I'm unable to do SFO NRT searches in Mileage Run anymore.
A google search of "SFO NRT site:flyertalk.com" returns 7,120 pages.
Google search of "SFO NRT mileage run site:flyertalk.com" has 5,000+ pages & the headers are not useful.

Any ideas?

What is the reason flyertalk can no longer do 3-letter searches?
The "reason" link in this thread doesn't work.

[KathyWdrf]

Great job, Canarsie!

BUT (not to sound too cynical or anything).... if someone can't figure out how to do a search, do you really think they are going to read instructions on how to do it?

Another tip worth mentioning is that a lot of the more basic information about frequent flyer/stay programs is readily findable on the website of the airline/hotel chain etc. In fact, it is quite often much more easily findable there than on FT! But for some reason, it never seems to occur to people to search for it there. On the other hand, FT often has information on the more advanced, sometimes (or often) undocumented features of the programs.

[shirts6]

I'm sorry if this sounds really basic and I should already know this, I could figure it out myself if I spent another hour. I know someone will be nice and save me some time!
When I want to subscribe to a thread, how exactly do I do this? Can I subscribe to the Alaska forum and then receive emails when someone starts a new thread, or do you basically have to search regularly to stumble on items that you're interested in?
Also, when you type in a message, do I have to put in a title?

[SanDiego1K]

You can subscribe to this thread by using the pulldown menu at the top titled "thread tools". Click "subscribe to this thread".

You can set up "My FlyerTalk" and subscribe to all the forums of interest to you. You can set up an email summary of all the threads posted in that forum.

When you respond to a thread, you don't have to use a title. When you start a new thread, you do.

[Canarsie]

Originally Posted by shirts6

I'm sorry if this sounds really basic and I should already know this, I could figure it out myself if I spent another hour. I know someone will be nice and save me some time!
When I want to subscribe to a thread, how exactly do I do this? Can I subscribe to the Alaska forum and then receive emails when someone starts a new thread, or do you basically have to search regularly to stumble on items that you're interested in?
Also, when you type in a message, do I have to put in a title?

You cannot subscribe to a forum in general, but you may subscribe to specific threads within a forum.

Simply go to a desired thread and choose Thread Tools near the top of the “page”. Clicking on it reveals a “pop-up” list which includes the option of subscribing to a thread.

You can subscribe to as many threads as you like using this method, and you also have the option of receiving an e-mail every time FlyerTalk members post to each subscribed thread.

I hope this helps, shirts6. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

[nerd]

Originally Posted by KathyWdrf

Great job, Canarsie!

BUT (not to sound too cynical or anything).... if someone can't figure out how to do a search, do you really think they are going to read instructions on how to do it?

I agree with Kathy on both counts.

First, good work.

Second, I think people will either post a newbie/repeat question or take it on themselves to figure out the search engine.

Someone who can't figure out how to learn the search engine is not going to a) click an announcement link, then b) click on the link to this thread, then c) sort through another dozen links to find the info they need.

[SanDiego1K]

You can subscribe to a forum when you set up "My FlyerTalk."

Let's say you want to subscribe to the Southwest forum.

Go to FlyerTalk Forums.

Click on Airline Programs to get an expanded list.

Click on Southwest.

Go to the upper right of the page, about 1/3 down. Click on "Forum Tools".

This brings up a pulldown menu. Click on "Subscribe to this forum".

When you do so, you will be given 3 options for notification:

1. None
2. Daily updates by email
3. Weekly updates by email

Irrespective of whether you chose email notification or not, when you return to "My FlyerTalk", you will find your subscription to Southwest Airlines.

[mwarden]

Originally Posted by nerd

I agree with Kathy on both counts.

First, good work.

Second, I think people will either post a newbie/repeat question or take it on themselves to figure out the search engine.

Someone who can't figure out how to learn the search engine is not going to a) click an announcement link, then b) click on the link to this thread, then c) sort through another dozen links to find the info they need.

I think we are missing the point here. If the search feature requires an entire thread of explanation of syntax and strategy methods, I would say that's a pretty good indication of a very flawed search feature.

I realize you are using a packaged forum solution, but that does not mean the search feature cannot be modified easily. One feature would go a long way to make the search useful and would take very little effort: append a + before each keyword not preceded by " +" or " OR " beyond the first keyword. This would effectively make it an AND search by default, which is what the user expects. If you take this translation approach, the effort is extremely minimal.

The approach of the FT mods should be: fix the search. Documentation DOES NOT FIX ANYTHING, as pointed out by the message quoted above. You have a good % of people here who are IT consultants (including myself). I am sure many of us would be willing to lend a hand, as the FT search feature is even more annoying to people who design software for a living...

[Kagehitokiri]

i have not had any problems with search for a while now, and this thread is good for people who dont have as much experience with online forums

[Canarsie]

Originally Posted by mwarden

I think we are missing the point here. If the search feature requires an entire thread of explanation of syntax and strategy methods, I would say that's a pretty good indication of a very flawed search feature.

I realize you are using a packaged forum solution, but that does not mean the search feature cannot be modified easily. One feature would go a long way to make the search useful and would take very little effort: append a + before each keyword not preceded by " +" or " OR " beyond the first keyword. This would effectively make it an AND search by default, which is what the user expects. If you take this translation approach, the effort is extremely minimal.

The approach of the FT mods should be: fix the search. Documentation DOES NOT FIX ANYTHING, as pointed out by the message quoted above. You have a good % of people here who are IT consultants (including myself). I am sure many of us would be willing to lend a hand, as the FT search feature is even more annoying to people who design software for a living...

I do not necessarily disagree with you, mwarden.

The administrative team that tends to the technological issues of FlyerTalk know that the search engine of the vBulletin bulletin board software is weak. However, the problem, as they told me in person in Washington, D.C. only yesterday, is that FlyerTalk is now one of the largest Internet bulletin boards that is powered by the vBulletin bulletin board software. While many — or even most — other Internet bulletin board web sites may function flawlessly either with the current search engine or with one modified by “hacking” the main software application program or with “plug-ins”, FlyerTalk could very well encounter unknown and unique problems simply due to its sheer size and traffic. The effort may indeed be minimal, but its potential longer-term effects and resulting problems could possibly far outweigh the advantages, and I know that they are currently not willing to take that chance.

For additional information, I recommend that you contact one of the technical administrative staff that takes care of FlyerTalk. Hopefully, one of them will post here to address your thoughts.

The bottom line is that the search engine for vBulletin is certainly far from perfect, and everyone is in agreement with that assessment. In the meantime, until a better solution is available — and a better solution to the search function is being actively sought for FlyerTalk — this thread exists to assist those FlyerTalk members with the current search engine.

If this thread assists even one FlyerTalk member in facilitating the use of its search function, then it has served its purpose.

By the way, a + can be used for more detailed searches, but it still is far from perfect.

[KathyWdrf]

Originally Posted by mwarden

I think we are missing the point here. If the search feature requires an entire thread of explanation of syntax and strategy methods, I would say that's a pretty good indication of a very flawed search feature.

Well, there are a LOT of complaints about the FT Search feature. And a few of them are indeed legitimate, such as some of the things mentioned in this thread.

But what I really think is happening is that doing a search is an art, and sometimes it is hard to figure out what search terms to use. Plus, some people are just not good at figuring out how to use the capabilities that FlyerTalk DOES have. Neither of those problems will necessarily be ameliorated by adding features.

I've been chuckling over this lately, because I have recently been trying to use the "new, improved" Chowhound bulletin board at www.chowhound.com . A little history: for a number of years (10 or so), Chowhound lived on a really crappy, clunky BB interface and was run on a shoestring, always in the red. Finally, last year or so, it was sold to CNet and ported to a new system. The new interface LOOKS much better. It is much easier to read. I thought, great, they have finally updated their site, and I started exploring. I quickly became frustrated by -- guess what -- their crappy Search feature. OK, I thought it was just user ignorance -- I need to read some FAQ or Help pages on how to use Search. But what I found, instead, was a thread on the Technical Help board, explaining:

Hello, Hounds,

We're beginning this week to overhaul the search system for Chowhound and all of Chow. What features would you like to see implemented? What's most important? What's least important?

Technical limitations will probably prevent it being absolutely to your specifications, but we can dream...

--------

Editing to add:

We are working on significant search changes, which will be released as a single update, rather than doing piecemeal updates. A schedule for when that update will take place is not available. Search/sort by date are definitely features that are included in the work being done, so it's not necessary to add your support for those ideas--we've already got them at the top of the list.

If you've got a new suggestion, please feel free to add it here. It likely won't be included in the pending major update since Engineering is well into development, but may be considered for future releases.

Engineering Feb 05, 2007 04:42PM

Since that posting nearly four months ago, there have been 300 or so responses, begging and pleading for such BASIC capabilities as a search by date (duh), and asking that "piecemeal" improvements be released, PLEASE.

Chowhound is divided into several boards or forums by region (plus some topical boards). The search feature lets you enter search keywords, but it does NOT sort the results by date, or in any other obviously meaningful way. Plus, there is no way to MAKE it sort the results by date! If you enter a keyword and "San Francisco," you will indeed get results -- sometimes zillions of results. You can't sort them, though. This really limits the usefulness of Chowhound. I'm really shocked that CNet, which I imagined was a high-tech company, has such a piece of garbage for their BB interface.

Anyhow, the point of all this is that, in fact, the Search feature on FlyerTalk is very powerful. It has a lot of wonderful features. You can put in a keyword(s) and search in the Title only, or all the text. You can limit the date range. You can search by poster. You can show the results by thread, or by post. And on and on and on. You really, truly, CAN do all kinds of great things using FlyerTalk search. And the results come out chronologically sorted! Saying that the search feature is useless is patently false, and is really, oftentimes, nothing more than an excuse for doing nothing (other than whining, of course, which FTers are very, very good at ).

Now, if Search on FT were as bad as that on Chowhound, then the chorus of search-complainers might really have a point. But it isn't. It has its limitations, but it is orders of magnitude better than Chowhound. So count your blessings, and use it.

[jcherney]

If this question doesn't belong here, please move it.

I want to search new posts, but exclude certain forums which I have no interest in. How can this be done?

Thanks.

PS I did a search for this just now, and never received a response. Looks like I confused the search engine!!