Author Topic: Searching (here) (Read 170 times)

bob · « **on:** August 05, 2006, 11:20:08 PM »

I was trying to figure out how to search for previous discussions about tubes, in response to a question over here (or is it there?)

It took a couple of attempts, with the usual painful delay, but eventually I got some useful results by ORing on the names of a few popular tubes. Then, just for kicks, I went over to Google and did the same search. Using Advanced Search, I entered the same three brand names, in the with at least one of the words box, and limited it to the Domain alembic.com.

Got twelve results in about half a second, versus waiting on the order of a minute for our local search...

Haven't taken the time to compare them, but I have a feeling I know how I'm going to proceed with most searches in the future, unless I really need to search by author or subject line.

We've had a lot of new members over the last few years, and popular questions seem to be becoming more popular. Nothing wrong with asking again, or even having a fresh discussion on some topic, but it sure would be nice if it was easier - specifically, a whole lot faster - to find out what had already been said.

So this is sort of a gentle nudge to the powers that be, to look into improving our search capability. I have no idea whether there is a fee to license Google search, or if you have to accept results that include ads, and so forth. But it's the difference between whether I may try to find something I know is out there, or wait for moder Dave to find it for us.

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** August 06, 2006, 08:30:32 AM »

An interesting question. A quick glance indicates that, apparently, the cost to get Google Search for a small public website is $1,995US and involves the installation of hardware and software. But that's just a quick glance; I don't know what's involved in setting it up and maintaining it. I do know that Mica spends a lot of time tackling problems with our discussion group software (she's still working on the disappearing pictures phenomena). I have no idea whether this would be an easy and economically justifiable addition or whether it would just add another layer of complexity. I also don't know whether our software platform can be modified to add the search bar. I suppose one could visit other sites running the same discussion group software and see if anyone else has added a Google search bar; but at the moment I'm not in a position to allocate the time to that project. But the more I think about it, it would be interesting to find out. Maybe I'll try to look around at some point.

bsee · « **Reply #2 on:** August 06, 2006, 08:52:53 AM »

I thought briefly about your comments above. It might not be a big effort to build a page that simply redirects to a Google search if that's what you want. The result will be a Google-rendered page rather than the Alembic-rendered page that you would get for your $1995. Since there is no advertising-for-income going on here, it is less likely to matter to Alembic that this is the case. Since Google will be rendering the results page entirely, you would see their ads on those pages.

-bob

lbpesq · « **Reply #3 on:** August 06, 2006, 09:09:16 AM »

Take a step back and think about this discussion for a moment. Here we are, considering two different ways of researching literally thousands of pages of material - looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack - and we're comparing two methods: the fast way that takes 1/2 second, versus the old slow way that takes a whole minute! It's truly amazing what technology has wrought since my feet first touched this planet. Omigod! Am I beginning to sound like an old geezer?

Bill, tgo

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** August 06, 2006, 09:13:19 AM »

Another thing that Bob See's comments tangentially bring to mind; the specific choice of Google over other search providers. There are a large number of people who are upset with Google because of the China issue, and there may be members of our group who choose not to use Google for that reason.

Another option, not nearly as elegant, is for members to put a customized search tool on their own desktop. For instance, apparently the search feature of the Google toolbar can be customized (I'm guessing here based on what I'm reading on the Google site; I haven't downloaded the toobar); and apparently other search providers have similar downloadable tools.

David Houck · « **Reply #5 on:** August 06, 2006, 09:21:14 AM »

Bill; it is indeed amazing!!

(Message edited by davehouck on August 06, 2006)

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** August 06, 2006, 12:54:16 PM »

Hmmm... How's this?

Search

bsee · « **Reply #7 on:** August 06, 2006, 06:26:30 PM »

I bookmarked that one, Dave....

David Houck · « **Reply #8 on:** August 10, 2006, 08:22:07 AM »

After discussing this thread with Mica, I've added a new page in the FAQ section here that includes the above Search link.

While I'm thinking of it, I better bookmark it too.

elwoodblue · « **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2006, 08:14:41 PM »

this thread reads like a good song,

with Dave playing a last witty lick,
thanks all,

I'm gonna bookmark that a one two,
kris