This forum is great but the search sucks

[ametalguitarist]

Everytime I try to search for something I get unrelated stuff as results. I search for kde icons dissapeared and I get bump thread or screenshots for results.

[itreius]

What do you use for searching? The forum's Search option? I generally do all search with Google, and the "site:ubuntuforums.org" prefix in front of the keywords. I usually end up finding whatever I was looking for.

[Arquis]

The most useful and simple thing I learned today. Never thought of that.

I thank you, mister. No sarcasm intended. :)

[Eisenwinter]

I am thankful for having learned that as well. Thank you.

[ad_267]

+1 for Google, the forum search function is pretty much useless.

[stinger30au]

What do you use for searching? The forum's Search option? I generally do all search with Google, and the "site:ubuntuforums.org" prefix in front of the keywords. I usually end up finding whatever I was looking for.

yep, this is the only search function i use on *ANY* forum

[Tews]

I use a custom google specifically for ubuntu ...
Give it a try (http://crunchbang.org/ubuntu-search-engine/)

[pelle.k]

Everytime I try to search for something I get unrelated stuff as results.
The best method, i have found, is to visit a subforum, and search there instead.


I use a custom google specifically for ubuntu ...
Give it a try
Is there something like the search widget in firefox, that one can add to search google using site:ubuntuforums, or that ubuntu specific google search?
I would rather have another search widget, than changing the default search provider in the existing one.

[handy]

I wonder if as the population of the U.F's. grows they will eventually have to use Google as the search engine?

I would think that it would be the easiest solution & take a load of the servers.

[MickS]

I use this site quite often. http://crunchbang.org/ubuntu-search-engine/

Mick

[lovinglinux]

Is there something like the search widget in firefox, that one can add to search google using site:ubuntuforums, or that ubuntu specific google search?
I would rather have another search widget, than changing the default search provider in the existing one.

If you like to search Ubuntu forums using Google Site Search, then download the attached file, extract it to ~/.mozilla/firefox/yourprofile/searchplugins/ and restart Firefox. It will add a new search plugin in the Firefox search bar. It allows you to search Ubuntu forums using Google Site Search, without the need to add "site:ubuntuforms.org". Just type the keywords.

[pelle.k]

If you like to search Ubuntu forums using Google Site Search, then download the attached file
Good job. Thanks.

[Greg]

The reason the search is so bad is because of how vBulletin made it. As a site gets bigger, it takes way longer to search, and sucks a ton of server resources. It's possible to implement Sphinx Search for something faster, but that takes work after every upgrade to the software.

[Dimitriid]

I just google "Ubuntu [whatever I am looking for]" and end up here anyways.

[HavocXphere]

What do you use for searching? The forum's Search option? I generally do all search with Google, and the "site:ubuntuforums.org" prefix in front of the keywords. I usually end up finding whatever I was looking for.
Some vb forums give the user a choice in the search. i.e. Search using google and normal search. Both return results from the forum only.


Not sure why its not that way here.:confused:

[Bodsda]

The google solution is good, but it is just a workaround, it does not change the fact that the search function on this site is rather poor in comparison to others. Perhaps this thread should be moved to feedback to try and get it noticed by ubuntu-geek

Regards,

Bodsda

[ametalguitarist]

Maybe have the form action point to site:ubuntuforums.org instead of in-home search?