Bigger Search

The Search feature is suggested in the forum on a daily bases by moderators and players.
Still, there are redundant posts taking up time and space. Everyone loses: moderators, information seekers, readers.

Please re-design the Search function, to make it more user friendly. Bigger graphics, explanation text, whatever it takes.

 

It is also a mater of if their forum software XenoForo supports what you are talking about.

 

I wish they would fix the calendar so I know when whatever is starting.

 

1) Post suggestions/ideas in the correct section of the forum, and they are more likely to be spotted
2) Come up with specific concerns about the current system, examples of what you would like to see it changed to and reasons why and, if they are sensible and plausible, the suggestions will be forwarded for consideration.

 

So who determines whether "they are sensible and plausible"?

 

I'm pretty sure if you were to say "I want to search for one letter and find the post I'm looking for." that would be insensible and implausible, but if you were to say "I want to be able to expand a post in the search results to see it's full content without opening the thread and thus leaving the search results." that would be sensible and plausible.

Oh hey! That second one is actually a good one. How about it, oh mighty mods?

Or another idea, before letting someone post a new thread, but a confirmation page or pop up asking if they first searched for similar topics.

 

@ Trailboss1 I do. Problem?

@ _Baragain_ What about enabling a user to open a selected search result in a new tab so it can be viewed without shutting down the search?

 

More than one way to skin the metaphorical cat. I'm just spouting ideas for the sake of ideas and to actually spark conversation.

 

1. How do you post them in the correct section, when the search function is inadequate?
2. What part of bigger graphics, and explanation text did you not understand?

 

1) it is a very simple process to find the correct section (Creative Corner) in the forum
2) If you are not willing to elaborate regarding your proposal, then it dies here. Last chance.

 

I think what might help with the search function is to assign "tags" to the post. This might be something done automatically or something the poster can add. Keywords do a lot to help with finding things.

For example, when I was hunting up issues on the Healing Orb/Sphere question I recently had, searching on Healing Orb turned up a ton of posts on things completely unrelated. Not that it was bad, it was rather interesting <g>, but it didn't help me figure out if I was posting a redundant post (something I loathe).

Another thing that might help is to have a short explanation of what the topics mean. If you have been here long enough, you understand what the difference is between the Event Announcements and the Official Announcements sections. I don't think it is completely obvious why an event wouldn't be official to a new member or someone who doesn't post / read the forum a lot.

Further, if you click the button for "New Posts", the category the post falls into isn't obvious. Maybe showing the new posts grouped by category would help. If nothing else, it would help users learn where things should go.

I do think poking at the mods isn't productive. They aren't paid to do what they do and are here to help. Let's let them do so by passing along our creative ideas on ways to get the game where we want it to be. If the developers opt not to listen, well, nothing we can do about that. The best that we can do is voice our thoughts and opinions in constructive ways.

::linking my $0.02 in the pot:::

 

@ Darwarren You are "mistaken". I moved this thread from General Forum to Creative Corner.

 

Tags is a wonderful idea!

Here is an example:
There is a thread called "Good legend shields." From time to time, I want to reference my math in there, but if I do a search for "good legendary shield" (because I forgot that it is "legend" not "legendary") then the thread I'm looking for isn't even on the first page. Tags of "Legend," "Legendary," "Shield," "Stats," "Showcase," etc would make it much easier to find things like that.

This wasn't as big of a deal when the forum was brand new a year and a half ago, but now it is a much larger beast and finding some things can be a bit of a chore.

 

The search function uses a "query by example" design that is antiquated. Often you have to know what the title of a thread is to find the thread. Fine for people that want to find a specific thread they already know exists, painful for a greenhorn tying to figure out if the their question already exists or has been discussed.

Example: Someone wants to know what the green gems are in the game and how to use them. Type in a google or ask type search: "What are the green gems in the game?" Response, 2 pages of stuff not related to the question. OK narrow it down Type in: "Gems" (go ahead I dare ya.) Result, 10 pages of stuff to filter through.

The header tags are a nice feature addition for readers. But some thread or post tagging system would be very helpful. One suggestion; if implemented this needs to somehow be automated, not user selected. People posting won't take the time to add that type of information or will misfile it exacerbating the original problem. If it must be user initiated, maybe giving a fill slot that makes them type in 3 key words or something before they can hit "submit post" would work. IDK, also just spitballing.

 

or start using hashtags #Edit
sry had too