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Member since 12/31/05
Posts: 134
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Posted on: 1/7/07 2:34 AM ET
First of all I want to say how much like this site and the service it offers. I have never seen a site with so much information and goodwill. Thanks to Deepika, the all the participants and who have made it what it is. I am not trying to sound negative,but here goes.

Deepika-

The search engine on this site is often not an effective one. I believe it needs to be overhauled. The most basic things I have type more than not yield "no matches found". I commented about this in the past and have gotten suggestions from members to use google instead to link me back to this site. Shouldn't the internal search engine be adequate? I have seen other members comment on this as well.

Today I was looking for reviews that I know exist on the site, under Eva dress. Results came up with nothing.

I shouldn't need to use use special round about methods to be able to find information I am looking for. I offer this suggestion only to improve the site.
  
Member since 4/11/02
Posts: 10809
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Posted on: 1/7/07 2:57 AM ET
Is there something more you are looking for other than the 4 reviews which come up when you do an Advanced Search on "Evadress" as the pattern co??

Search results


-- Edited on 1/7/07 2:58 AM --
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"I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch." — Gilda Radner
http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com
  
Member since 10/31/02
Posts: 149
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Posted on: 1/7/07 10:12 AM ET
I agree, I don't like the search enging either. I hate that I have to pick a forum to search if I want to search by topic and message. I don't always know what forum to search in, that is why I am searching!
  
Member since 5/27/03
Posts: 965
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Posted on: 1/7/07 10:55 AM ET
In reply to CarolynD
Carolyn, I know how it feels when trying and trying to locate an old thread or review that you know is there, somewhere....

But in my experience, search engine difficulties (unfortunately!) aren't specific to this site. (And I'm sure I could improve my internet search techniques. )

I use the Google "site search" for probably most websites where I'm looking for something, not only here. Some sites actually have it incorporated into their websites, but I have no idea if that's feasible here.

Probably none of this is of any comfort if you've just had one of those, "Where is that #$*!&!% thread?!" moments, but my husbands's response to me once was, "Well if you think that's bad, try the "Help" function on Microsoft Windows XP!
  
Member since 3/6/03
Posts: 1638
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Posted on: 1/7/07 11:22 AM ET
I don't like having to pick a forum to search in either. Sometimes the info could fit in multiple forums, so I'd have to do multiple searches to look for one thing.
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Nikki Medved
My blog:
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Member since 4/11/02
Posts: 10809
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Posted on: 1/7/07 11:25 AM ET
In reply to sewserious1
Quote:
hate that I have to pick a forum to search if I want to search by topic and message.


You don't have to pick a forum when searching that way.

I'm pretty sure the reason you have to pick a forum when searching in the message bodies is because a total search on everything would be a HUGE load on the server. This is PR, not Google ... Deepika doesn't have nearly unlimited server power behind PR. She needs to limit server burdens so the whole site doesn't freeze up.
-- Edited on 1/7/07 11:27 AM --
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"I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch." — Gilda Radner
http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com
  
Member since 12/31/05
Posts: 134
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Posted on: 1/7/07 12:26 PM ET
In reply to Debbie Cook
I was looking for anything and came up with nothing. I spelled it Eva Dress.

I put a space in, which I think is a reasonable error. Still, "EVA" as the main word could have been picked up by the search engine.

And no-I don't consider this to be Google, Debbie. I don't believe that it has to put a huge strain on the site. I don't know about servers but I think there could be a way to get information I am looking for.

Another example. Try typing in "Vintage". I know there are tons of vintage pattern reviews yet the search engine reveals nothing under reviews.

If I am doing something so stupidly wrong then I believe the interface isn't doing its job, it shouldn't have to be so tricky.
  
Member since 7/2/04
Posts: 1725
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Posted on: 1/7/07 7:21 PM ET
I don't understand why there was a problem for you with going to the advanced search page and using the pattern company drop-down list for finding all the Eva Pattern reviews.

The pattern search feature is, quite rightly, built around pattern number. There are secondary indexes to get to other review specifics, but they are too intensive to be used all the time. The secondary indexes include pattern company name. It doesn't matter how you typed it in, if you are using the basic search feature you aren't going to find Eva Dress or Simplicity. To search by pattern company, you must use the advanced search feature.

Many years ago I had a 'joke' button on my keyboard that said DWIM. People would ask what it was and why i had it when they didn't . I told them it was my special button and it meant "Do What I Meant"

Until artificial intelligence software progresses in both increased ability and decreased resources, I think it's ludicrous to expect software to intuit what we meant. Machines are stupid...they only do what they are told to do. If you aren't getting the answer you want, change the way you are asking the question.
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Mary Lynn (Who's finally sitting up and taking nourishment)

Design Degree??? I prefer my artistic license

"A woman who works with her hands is a laborer; a woman who works with her hands and her mind is a craftsman; but a woman who works with her hands and her brain and her heart is an artist." (St. Thomas Aquinas, modified)

  
Member since 12/31/05
Posts: 134
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Posted on: 1/7/07 9:35 PM ET
In reply to MaryLynn in Long Beach
I don't think it is ludicrous at all to expect a search engine to give better results. The Eva Dress example was not a good example. I could have looked further under the advanced search, you are right. I am having trouble with the search engine. I don't understand why secondary searches are too intensive to be used all the time. Why doesn't the word "vintage" bring up a single vintage pattern review? Why does it have to be by number? What if I don't know the number of an outdated vintage pattern? This has happened many times before with things I have tried to find on this site. Other people have made comments before, I'm not the only one, Marylynn, who finds the search engine finiky. I REALLY don't want this thread to turn into something disagreeable so I would appreciate polite responses. I am stating an opinion, that is all.


-- Edited on 1/7/07 9:38 PM --
  
Member since 9/14/02
Posts: 2707
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Posted on: 1/7/07 10:50 PM ET
I agree that the search engine is finicky. But based on my own experience with search engines, I know that most search engines can't be made to behave like Google.

And sometimes, if you try to do so, you can end up with more results, but still not as good as Google and this can be worse than the original limited search engine. (Such as a lot of irrelevant results that you have to sift through.)

One compromise that I've seen used on other sites is a "search tips" link which links to a page of tips and sample searches. The link should appear right next to the search box or else no one will use it.

The "search tips" don't make it possible to search for everything as you like, but they do outline the limitations of the search engine so that you at least know what to expect from it.

Another compromise is what someone else mentioned, which is to have a Google search box on the site. I don't know if this is feasible--I'm pretty sure there is some sort of expense involved.

-- Edited on 1/7/07 10:52 PM --
  
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