Folks,

I have created a small html file that allows you to do a search on 3 different sword forums. This tool isn't perfect but it seems to find what I am looking for. It uses google to search the chosen forum.

Below is a screen shot:

[ Linked Image ]

It is just a simple search tool, but it seems to find stuff pretty good.

As an example, Using this tool I searched the myArmoury forum for scabbard, and got 1,310 hits, next I searched for scabbard poplar and got 250 hits, next I searched for scabbard poplar brass and got 6 hits.

HINT: If you enclose your search text in quotes the search will tend to look for the text as typed. As an example: If you type in new pommel the search will look for any thing that contains the words new and pommel. On the other hand if you were to add quotes like this: "new pommel" then it will only find articles that contain something like: I really like my new pommel.

You can download the file here: http://www.yeoldegaffers.com/sbg/search.zip (about 1k)

Just download the zip file and unzip it anywhere on your drive you wish, click on it and it will open in your browser of choice.

Ron

I admit I have had trouble finding things with the Search Function to find precisely what I am looking for, despite knowing the thread title. This brought it right up; I really like it. Thanks!

While I appreciate the effort, please note that the myArmoury.com search tool has quite a bit of power not available to outside search engines. It's far from worthless. You can search for ALL terms, SOME terms, use wildcards, limit results, look for topics only, posts only, search by author, by forum, etc., etc., etc.

Please pay particular attention to the two options underneath the search query text box:

* Search for any terms or use query as entered
* Search for all terms

Typing "scabbard poplar" and having "any terms" selected shows any posts or topics (your choice, another option on our search feature) that has the word "scabbard" *or* the word "poplar" in it. (for example, this currently returns 2923 topics, or 9195 posts)

Typing "scabbard poplar" and having "all terms" selected shows any posts or topics (your choice, another option on our search feature) that has the word "scabbard" *and* the word "poplar" in it. (for example, this currently returns 62 topics, or 108 posts)


Your form sends a query to Google's sitesearch and returns Google search results. It actually offers quite a bit less value than our own search feature in that you can't really limit it by posts or topics, limit by time, author, forum name/category, does not allow one to search subject titles/text/both, etc, etc, etc. The other problem with using a search engine like Google is that it index web pages and has no context as to what constitutes a post, a topic, etc.... this means, for example, that a topic with 68 pages will have 68 distinctive results in Google, whereas our search tool sees it as a single result.


Again, I really do appreciate the effort and am not trying to knock it. It adds more value. Having said that, I'd encourage all our members to learn how to properly use our search tool, explore its power, and enjoy the benefits it offers.

Google is always there for other things, too, such as for "phrasing" (as you mention). One simply needs to type something like this into Google to get the results:

site:myArmoury.com/talk "sword pommel" viking

To sum up, the more options the better, right?

Nathan,

I just offer this as an addtional tool, not a replacement.

I agree that the search engine here has many features and options are not availble anywhere else.

What got me thinking about this was, and maybe you can explain what I am doing wrong.

If I use the forum search engine and type in 'yeoldegaffers" it always returns nothing. I can't give you other examples right now, but I have had the same thing happen with other searches. I leave the engine default, but have changed the number of posts to "all available".

Now if I use this tool and search for "yeoldegaffers" google shows all the posts from this forum that I or someone else has used the link to my website.

Ron

Well, I just learned a lot!

That makes sense. I am sure that was the same reason I couldn't find some of my other searches.

I think you just made how I post and your search engine much more helpful for me.

I apologize for using the word "worthless". I was talking about forums in general, not this one in particular.

I will humbly edit my original post.


Ron

Oh, don't worry about that. :) I just jumped at the chance to document some of the features and whatnot... you're certainly not alone in having trouble understanding it... that's for sure!

Very cool Gaffer, thanks!

I would certainly like to have a better understanding of how the myArmoury search engine works regardless. Specifically, how do I get an exact match on multiple words? If I'm searching for "custom grip" I really only want that phrase, not the individual words. As I understand it, the difference between "any" and "all" is whether or not both words (as in my example) show up in the same post/article, which is still not as precise as I intended. I've always found it easier to "step outside the site" using google with quotes, then look for the myArmoury URL.