I take it this new version of vBulletin in use has Boolean Search capability, but it has not been activated......Correct? Unfortunate.

It would certainly be a extremely useful search feature in the future.

Rich

 

I agree. Those of us who know how to use Boolean would be eternally grateful.

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CorvetteForum uses a custom search engine. I can't remember exactly how it's setup, globally, but I do believe some "boolean" searches are somewhat supported without requiring the operators.

 

With all due respect, which I offer profusely, BTW, a "true" Boolean architecture would be a godsend to us versed in the nomenclature.

If, as the OP has suspected, Boolean searches are possible, it would be in CF's best interest to be activated, IMHO.

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J T,

Another forum I frequent uses vBulletin Version 4.1.9 with it's Boolean Search function fully activated.

In the process of testing and analyzing it's use when it was upgraded, I discovered that there was minimal help documentation on the vBulletin site, and through their Help Forum I discovered some features. I went ahead and spent a substantial amount of time testing and experimenting with the Boolean Search feature. I wrote a Help document for our users to assist with it's use along with actual examples and results.

As an example, when using the AND/OR/NOT functions, I also discovered that using the "(", ")" delimiters and "space" characters in the search strings makes predictable and repeatable differences in the search, yielding more pertinent results. This can make a huge difference when users are searching for specific information here.

If, and hopefully, when, the vBulletin Boolean Search function is fully implemented here, I would be happy to assist and provide time for experiments and then provide a Help Document for our users here on CF as well.

Regards,
Rich

 

Rich,

CorvetteForum uses a custom search engine along with a mixture of the stock vBulletin system. Full-text, boolean, is actually available in this version but the custom search engine takes over. I'm not directly involved on the search engine. I had a logic flow for CorvetteForum but I can't find it at this moment.

From my experience and working with the systems across large sites, the stock search engine does not scale well when you have large sites like CorvetteForum that has to search a lot of data while also not taking down the servers for those that are just reading or posting. CorvetteForum has been setup this way since I can remember (years). Not all sites are equal. The search engines, both on the member and server admin side, will probably never fully satisfy all involved.

I don't know what, if any, plans for future search engine tweaks or upgrades.

 

Thanks JT,

I do agree that a more complicated algorithm using the Boolean search can tear into user bandwidth. Because CF is such a popular and busy site I understand it has potential to disrupt normal operations.

The other site that I frequent has a much smaller user base, however some fail safes have been put in place that help to keep normal operations efficient. For one, there's a built in timer which makes the user wait a specific time period between searches. I don't know if there is a "User Search Queue", which prevents too much processing by keeping the searchers "in line". I have no idea if that's even a capability in the vBulletin SW.

In thinking about the fear of bandwidth loss here due to Server Search lag, my gut feel is that it would be minimal. Most users probably wouldn't have the desire to get into the somewhat more complicated Boolean Search expressions and their use. I'd guess a small percentage of users would use it over time. However, those of us that spend much time researching and looking for those difficult to find threads with very important data would certainly welcome it.

If considered, a idea may be to implement and test the Boolean feature, monitor usage and bandwidth over time, and if it starts to drag servers down and hurts normal operation, it could aways be reverted. Again, my gut feeling is that it would be fine. Other options may be to add it as a "option" in the Advanced Search shell only, and/or only allow it's use by registered users.

Interesting that the present Search you're describing is "custom". I'm going to guess that if it has some unique "marketing" and "data collection" capabilities, which may be eating bandwidth already, then I'd say all bets are off and the Boolean Search isn't going to get implemented. I understand one of the primary purposes of this site is profitability through advertising and marketing fees...... not saying this is a bad thing, but if there were no users, there would be no CF. Users here make the CF successful through it's popularity. Adding a perk like this could potentially get even more users to join in from other sites. More users here with more advertising hits could potentially mean more advertising revenue.

Thanks,
Rich