Search problems
Feb 11, 2008 | 6:42 pm
#106
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
Feb 11, 2008 | 6:43 pm
#107
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: NYC (formerly BOS/DCA)
Programs: UA 1K, IC RA
Posts: 60,745
Feb 11, 2008 | 6:54 pm
#108
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
Example: If you are looking for information on a Hilton in Waikiki, in the serach box type "hilton hhonors Waikiki". Need information on the Doubletree Philadelphia, "hilton hhonors Philadelphia". Granted the Hilton forum is one of the best organized forums as all properties are listed by their Hilton name, making searching that much easier.
However, because some people abbreviate in thread titles [which drives me nuts,
since you can't always find that information later LIKE NOW 
], you have a greater chance of missing some information (in an initial search) and causing you to refine your search.Can't all hotel forum be set up like the Hilton Forum....hint..hint.
It would make searching for information that much easier, especially in a situation such as this.@:-)@:-)@:-) Big shout out to the Hilton Mods, et al for cleaning up the Hilton Forum.^^^
Feb 11, 2008 | 7:16 pm
#109
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,444
FlyinHawaiian - well said.
You've given the answer already. The Hilton HHonors forum moderators have spent enormous amounts of time reorganising the forum. Now if you are volunteering to help do this in other forums, please let the relevant moderators know. (May have to wait until search is fixed - this kind of updating is rather difficult at the moment.)
You've given the answer already. The Hilton HHonors forum moderators have spent enormous amounts of time reorganising the forum. Now if you are volunteering to help do this in other forums, please let the relevant moderators know. (May have to wait until search is fixed - this kind of updating is rather difficult at the moment.)
Feb 11, 2008 | 7:19 pm
#110
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
I mainly used the old search to have a look at the discussion that I had participated and whether there had been any recent post. This was the functionality that I used. I am sure that the IB is happy when the page views and posts are down because of the failed implementation.
Feb 11, 2008 | 7:27 pm
#111
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: NYC (formerly BOS/DCA)
Programs: UA 1K, IC RA
Posts: 60,745
When a corporation (IB) fails to deliver to its customers (us), you don't think that complaining is in order? You know, some folks actually pay to use FT. I think they have every right to scream and yell as this search implementation has been completely botched from the get-go.
Feb 11, 2008 | 7:40 pm
#112
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
Posts: 18,693
)
Feb 11, 2008 | 7:42 pm
#113
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: NYC (formerly BOS/DCA)
Programs: UA 1K, IC RA
Posts: 60,745
Not at all. Please add me to the list of those complaining. My personal view is there is something to be said for a well-stated concern versus just loud shouting, chest-thumping, and general gnashing of teeth (and please, I don't mean to cast that at any member in particular )
)
Feb 11, 2008 | 8:02 pm
#114
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: TPA, PHL
Programs: NW: SE & WC
Posts: 2,136
I do remember folks reporting the numbers associated with certain specific posts being off but that was not what I was talking about. The thing I see probably is part of the "broader" problem you are describing. They might be intertwined and closely related siblings. 
Not sure if this would make any difference, I was/am using Firefox for my FT viewing pleasure.
As for the phantom forum pages, I didn't know much about that. But well before the most recent beta search problems, I already notice the Phantom Thread Page Phenomenon in one particular I've been actively participated in. The "Phantom Thread Page Phenomemon", which has been ongoing there since around 12/10/07 (after the 2nd page on that thread), is forcing this thread to "prematurely" generate a new page link/count which doesn't have enough posts to support the page yet. (Again, hoping you are following me.) For example, when there are only 25 posts or something, Page 3 has already being generated with the link that only takes you to the top of Page 2, when Page 3 shouldn't be produced before post#31. This is a bug that not only confuses readers but bugs OP as well.
What's interesting is there's a magic number for this thread I am referring to as well. The total post count under the subforum overview is always 4 count off (for example, 27 viewable posts but showing 31 posts under the forum summary overview page). When I contacted the mods and Mikel, I was told it was a "rare" glitch in the system and was due to deleted posts in the thread. That doesn't make sense to me since (1) I know for sure there were more than 4 deleted posts in that thread and the deletion didn't happen all at once; (2) I've been observing countless threads that recoup themselves and display accurate thread & post numbering, after certain posts being deleted. I finally gave up reporting that problem after 7 reports within two weeks and seeing no difference. What else can I do? I am just a regular non-techie user instead of a programmer!
I would think this is certainly a bug. I have no extra time (nor know how) to experiment your scenario but IB folks should definitely take a look at it!
The currently viewable deleted posts (with phantom post links), however, gives me another thought on the "Phantom Thread Page Phenomemon". Please pardon my non-techie logic first. If the deleted posts are still accounted for under Quick Links/My Posts thus viewable to the users, no wonder I am observing "Phantom Thread Page Phenomemon" for that thread! Since they still "count" somewhere in the background and the system, it makes sense (in this funny way) "the thread page generator" would release the next page link prematurely. I suspect others are witness the same problem in other threads as well. I still don't know why the trigger/magic number is 4 for that thread though. I am not sure if this is a search problem either. I only know these are tech problems.
I do hope IB hamsters are really reading all of our problem reports and get them fixed.
Not sure if this would make any difference, I was/am using Firefox for my FT viewing pleasure.As for the phantom forum pages, I didn't know much about that. But well before the most recent beta search problems, I already notice the Phantom Thread Page Phenomenon in one particular I've been actively participated in. The "Phantom Thread Page Phenomemon", which has been ongoing there since around 12/10/07 (after the 2nd page on that thread), is forcing this thread to "prematurely" generate a new page link/count which doesn't have enough posts to support the page yet. (Again, hoping you are following me.) For example, when there are only 25 posts or something, Page 3 has already being generated with the link that only takes you to the top of Page 2, when Page 3 shouldn't be produced before post#31. This is a bug that not only confuses readers but bugs OP as well.
What's interesting is there's a magic number for this thread I am referring to as well. The total post count under the subforum overview is always 4 count off (for example, 27 viewable posts but showing 31 posts under the forum summary overview page). When I contacted the mods and Mikel, I was told it was a "rare" glitch in the system and was due to deleted posts in the thread. That doesn't make sense to me since (1) I know for sure there were more than 4 deleted posts in that thread and the deletion didn't happen all at once; (2) I've been observing countless threads that recoup themselves and display accurate thread & post numbering, after certain posts being deleted. I finally gave up reporting that problem after 7 reports within two weeks and seeing no difference. What else can I do? I am just a regular non-techie user instead of a programmer!
I would think this is certainly a bug. I have no extra time (nor know how) to experiment your scenario but IB folks should definitely take a look at it!
The currently viewable deleted posts (with phantom post links), however, gives me another thought on the "Phantom Thread Page Phenomemon". Please pardon my non-techie logic first. If the deleted posts are still accounted for under Quick Links/My Posts thus viewable to the users, no wonder I am observing "Phantom Thread Page Phenomemon" for that thread! Since they still "count" somewhere in the background and the system, it makes sense (in this funny way) "the thread page generator" would release the next page link prematurely. I suspect others are witness the same problem in other threads as well. I still don't know why the trigger/magic number is 4 for that thread though. I am not sure if this is a search problem either. I only know these are tech problems.
I do hope IB hamsters are really reading all of our problem reports and get them fixed.
To further complicate matters, what one user sees as 8 pages (at 5 posts per page), I see as one, since I have my preferences set to 40 posts per page. This can make links (such as page 2 [which can start with post #6, 11, 21, 31, or 41]), descriptions, troubleshooting problems, etc. very confusing. I also use most recent posts on top, which is weird because I keep reading "...said above" but for me it's actually below. For some reason starting at post #4 or 5 seems to be very common (at least using Firefox) for threads with phantom pages.
Feb 11, 2008 | 8:16 pm
#115
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: TPA, PHL
Programs: NW: SE & WC
Posts: 2,136
>>>>Not at all. Please add me to the list of those complaining. My personal view is there is something to be said for a well-stated concern versus just loud shouting, chest-thumping, and general gnashing of teeth (and please, I don't mean to cast that at any member in particular )
)
Feb 11, 2008 | 8:47 pm
#116
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Home
Programs: AA, Delta, UA & thanks to FTers for my PC Gold!
Posts: 7,674
I hope IB folks will find a fix very soon from my/our problem descritpions.
To further complicate matters, what one user sees as 8 pages (at 5 posts per page), I see as one, since I have my preferences set to 40 posts per page...
I thought the 15-post page-view was the default setting. I guess I have been happy with 15-post-per-page layout and didn't notice (nor recall) you can request it differently. If the phantom forum page problem you are experiencing has anything to do by setting a different parameter, I don't think this IB search engine is good at math at all.
Whatever the problems are, they surely have to find the right fix.
Feb 11, 2008 | 9:14 pm
#117
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: OKC/DFW
Programs: AA EXP/2 MM
Posts: 9,999
I understand the purpose of the tool in theory. I am asking, however, why these particluar scores are being displayed for us to see on this particular bulletin board. If there is some helpful purpose for them, I would like to understand it. On the other hand, if as stated upthread, these scores don't mean much in an absolute sense, I'm still curious why they are being displayed.
Feb 11, 2008 | 9:15 pm
#118
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: TPA, PHL
Programs: NW: SE & WC
Posts: 2,136
Just to clarify, did you mean 15 posts per page? My findings were all under 15-post-per-page view using Firefox.
I thought the 15-post page-view was the default setting. I guess I have been happy with 15-post-per-page layout and didn't notice (nor recall) you can request it differently. If the phantom forum page problem you are experiencing has anything to do by setting a different parameter, I don't think this IB search engine is good at math at all.
I thought the 15-post page-view was the default setting. I guess I have been happy with 15-post-per-page layout and didn't notice (nor recall) you can request it differently. If the phantom forum page problem you are experiencing has anything to do by setting a different parameter, I don't think this IB search engine is good at math at all.
I wish we could set the search results display. To me it's so much easier to have a larger page load than to wait for each individual results page to load when you get to the end of a page.
Feb 12, 2008 | 9:37 am
#120
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 54
Kevin