Hey all! We'd like to hear your feedback regarding the SEARCH function on FlyerTalk
 

Hi,

My name is Mike, I work for Internet Brands, the company that operates the FlyerTalk community. Fairly recently, we've upgraded this site to a "beta" version of our own "Internet Brands" search engine; this was done in order to significantly improve the speed of this website and improve the search engine's capabilities, ie. you can now search for 3 letter airport codes and etc.

By now, a lot of you had the opportunity to use the new search feature, perhaps you did not even notice anything out of the ordinary - or perhaps you've encountered a problem or a bug; accordingly we really want to know about your experience.

I am here to listen to any and all feedback regarding the search function on FlyerTalk; please take a minute to leave a comment, be it positive or negative. I am working directly with the developer and your opinions will directly influence the changes made to the program!

If you are reporting a specific problem, please try to be as detailed as possible.

I appreciate your help in advance & don't hesitate to PM me or email me if need be.

Thanks,

Mike Anders
InternetBrands.com

Do not like.

I can't figure out how to search for a particular post w/in a thraed. When I go to the link above that says "search this thread" it brings up the thread that I am searching in vs. the post.

I can't be missing something completely obvious. That being said, I'm still not a huge fan, I don't find it particularly useful or beneficial unless it saves memory.

That one is annoying. The default on results for that function should be set to view by post. At present, to get it to do so you have to click 'search this thread ' then 'advanced search' and ask for the results by post there.

I also find the when you change the results by relevance to by posting date, it's hit or miss if the list changes at all, and more importantly, the list in anything but complete

I welcome IB's participation in asking for feedback, I just wish it had happened sooner.

I agree that having to click the show posts vs show threads, when I'm searching IN a thread is just stupid - that should be a defaulted value as thread is obviously not relevant.

Also annoying is that the search doesn't seem to be "complete". I don't have confidence that what is returned by the search actually reflects the available information. The few times I use it (as the issues have really made me disinclined to go anywhere near the function) the lists seems to change if I search more than once. I am fully aware that it can be returning consistent results at this point, but my perception is that its not and that is the premise I have work with. Really, that's the bottom line - something was implemented that didn't work well and was left for far too long - I know many people now rely on google or other engines outside of FT to find information within FT for the same reason.

The moderators get the brunt of it, but I also believe there are more dupes being posted b/c people just don't use search like they used to - either b/c they can't figure out how to change the post/threads option or have just been abused by it.

I'm glad you asked.

EVERY time I've searched for a thread I know exists and use the advanced search and search on titles only with words I KNOW are in the title, the thread I want doesn't come up. Frankly, I find this beta search useless.

Can you please give me a random example of the keywords you might be searching for - I want to see if you are using conditional statements or just plugging in words you want. Our biggest error so far has been the fact that we think we've improved the search - but did not explain or give an example of how to use the improved search functions to the users. The core technology of the new search is extremely powerful and intelligent - I think that once we add a couple of simple examples regarding the construction of your search query we'll all notice that finding just the right thing is going to become easier.

We're not talking rocket science here - we should all be able to search without having to read a FAQ or get instruction. If more is needed, then it is an issue with the product not the users - sorry but in the world of technology today - search should be a seamless process.

:confused: There is a big thread in the technical issues forum where many FTers have pointed out problems with search (plus there is at least one thread in talkteam). Wouldn't that be a good place to start?

The new search is not terribly robust. It only returns the threads I'm looking for about 60% of the time, returns the same thread multiple times in the same search, and exposes the moderator options to everyone (even though we can't use them). I prefer the old search most of the time.

At least the search function found the threads...here they are:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ghlight=search

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=676224

As for my feedback...

I liked the format of the old one better - this new Search function is pretty bad. Actually, it is, IMHO, really bad.

The previous one had the sentence (and post) that the word was used in - which was great in filtering it out. The previous one didn't repeat the same thread.

This new search function just isn't as effective of a function is less userfriendly.

So after reviewing the original thread about the search - and looking at the direction this thread is heading it is obvious that the general consensus remains the same. I've outlined some prevalent issues that you've brought up - and we will address them accordingly. I thank you for the input.

THANK YOU !!^

and just in case, here is another negative vote on the new search:)

I agree. About the only way I can find a thread where I've posted, and know a word in the title is to limit it to searching my posts.

When the search DOES find something vaguely resembling what I am looking for it then sends me a list that contains many posts in one thread that you have to look for to see what they are and whether they are helpful. When doing a general search I think it would be less confusing to just refer to a thread that has the information you are looking for, although it sounds like some people prefer getting to a particular post.(?) Most often the results of the search is not germane to the inquiry or returns no hits at all.

I agree with other comments that this should be a seamless process and you shouldn't have to do an advanced search for something that is not real specific in nature.