- Starting a Search
- Syntax
- Quote Marks
- Simple or Advanced?
- Simple Search
- Advanced Search
Starting a Search
Assuming the forum is running the SMF default theme (or a derivative of it),
there should be both a simple Search field (partnered by an
Advanced search text link) in the collapsable top section and a
Search option in the
main menu. If not, the main menu Search option should still
lead straight to the advanced search screen.
Syntax
While you can just type (and search for) any combination of characters, you
should consider using quotes to make your search really work for you:
Quote Marks
To put this in a nutshell, searching for simple machines forum
will return any or all of these three words, but enclosing the search string in
double quote marks (ie "simple machines forum") will
return only the entire phrase.
Simple or Advanced?
Simple Search
To use the simple search (if enabled), the basic syntax outlined above is all
you really need to know. But you might also like to know that this tool searches
the entire forum for any or all of what you specify that's been posted during
the last 9999 days (which is more than 27 years)! So, to take more control of
your search, you should use the advanced search feature.
Advanced Search
Although the advanced search screen might initially seem a little
intimidating if a forum has many boards and child boards, it's surprisingly
straightforward when reduced to its basic components:
- Some forums show the navigation tree at the top in a
space-saving horizontal mode.
- Despite initial appearances, there are really three options for
how to search, with Match all words and Match any
words being available from the drop-down, and "Match as
phrase" still being available as described
above.
- The default * in the by user field is essentially a
wildcard matching any poster. Please note that, while you can replace this
with any single username for a more specific search, it's not
currently possible to search for posts by multiple users except as that
single wildcard.
- Show results as messages returns the full message
containing the search string (with a reply option) instead of the usual
linked excerpt, but will naturally result in much larger results pages which
might be significant if you are searching for a popular word or phrase.
- Message age sets the minimum and maximum ages of posts
to search.
- Choose a board to search in provides you with another
tool to narrow the scope of the search, with the default being 'all' (the
whole forum or, more properly, all the boards to which you have read
access).
- The Search button not surprisingly sets the whole thing
in motion, but hitting 'Enter' direct from any of the search fields is
sometimes more convenient.
|
