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Searching this forum

SccrCop

Lurker
Hmm, I know I'm new here, but is there something wrong with the search engine? The three searches I initiated simply locked up? Anyone else have success today?
 
In all fairness, the forum search function is pretty poor :(. There are 2 options for search though, which one are you choosing? The one in the drop down, or the one in the light blue bar at the top of the page.

The latter does the entire phandroid site (so the news stuff as well) and can take ages to yield any results. The other, I tend to find the more specific you are, the less likely you are of finding something unfortunately.

If you let me know what you want, I'll have a pop at searching for it if you like?
 
You can also try typing in site:androidforums.com: to Google and then enter whatever you're looking for. I found this to be one of the best search methods out there for this site.
 
You can also try typing in site:androidforums.com: to Google and then enter whatever you're looking for. I found this to be one of the best search methods out there for this site.

Yeppers, quite the excellent way to go about it (at any big site that doesn't already have its own Google search bar).
 
Having to rely on Google search is a bad idea. A forum this popular should definitely consider building a better advanced search.
 
Sorry you're seeing that (latest) bug.. I've found that it is a "sometimes" thing, as I do searches here.

An alternative to that on-site search feature is to type site:androidforums.com: into Google. ;)

I've blended this thread with another on the same subject in Suggestion Box and Feedback for you. :)
 
Yes that search has always been buggy. I'm a fan of the google "site:androidforums.com search terms" method myself, but I hear ya.
 
Nah, so long as the traffic is high, advertisers are happy.

I've complained about this bug - I will complain again.
 
Fwiw, when using the "big" search engine at the top right, it does function better/quicker if you use the drop down menu to select which area you want searched (the menu appears once the "search" button next to the original text field is clicked). It offers androidforums.com, phandroid.com and androidapplications.com.
 
Fwiw, when using the "big" search engine at the top right, it does function better/quicker if you use the drop down menu to select which area you want searched (the menu appears once the "search" button next to the original text field is clicked). It offers androidforums.com, phandroid.com and androidapplications.com.


Just to add to this a little, you can also use advanced search to narrow down which forum to search as well as even search through a specific thread if you use the navigation bar at the top of each forum.
 
Nah, so long as the traffic is high, advertisers are happy.

I've complained about this bug - I will complain again.

Wow, congrats on the posting milestone..

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;)
 
I did discover that this Phandroid problem only happens when I use the Search field at upper right. If I use the Search This Forum window below, it uses an Android Forum engine and works fine. Go figure...
 
I did discover that this Phandroid problem only happens when I use the Search field at upper right. If I use the Search This Forum window below, it uses an Android Forum engine and works fine. Go figure...

Yes. As long as you understand that "search this forum" is referring to the actual sub-forum you are in, not AF forums at large, that is what the big (dumb) one is (supposed to be) for. ;)
 
"search this forum" is referring to the actual sub-forum you are in

True, but then I discovered that moving downstairs to androidforums.com and using the same field, Search This Forum magically changes to Search Forums, which it does impeccably.

So neener neener, Phandroid Search and going way over to Google search and entering
 
Hey, that works too, and worth a bookmark, but I was referring to the lower Search field at androidforums.com. When you enter something and click, the phrase
 
No, not that one, that one goes to the Phandroid spinning wheel. Look below that, in the blue bar, between New Posts and Quick Links... that one works. Wish I knew how to submit a bmp...
 
Yay for neeners. ;)

But do you mean this: Android Forums

There is no "search forums" on the androidforums.com front page, just the "search" in the blue menu bar.

No, not that one, that one goes to the Phandroid spinning wheel. Look below that, in the blue bar, between New Posts and Quick Links... that one works. Wish I knew how to submit a bmp...

You're both talking about the same thing there. That's the VBulletin search, the same one that allows you to search specific forums.

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Hit 'Advanced Search' and you'll be taken to the link Frisco gave, which is just the same thing with more options.
 
Here’s what I do:

1. Click the Android Forums graphic in the upper right corner... androidforums.com
2. Click the search button you’ve shown... androidforums.com/search

That works. This doesn’t:

1. Click the Android Forums graphic in the upper right corner... androidforums.com
2. Click the search button shown by Frisco... phandroid.com/search, which leads to the never-ending scroll bar.

At least that’s what happens on my PC.
 
Oops. I don’t have to do step one at all. From any post, your good button has been there the whole time. I just kept clicking Frisco’s button cuz it’s bigger, and that one, as I said, no worky. Sorry to make a mess here.
 
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