ACNA website search functionality

[Deleted]

Hi All, I just posted a thread for a problem I am having with my 2002, 3.5L, V6 Rora:L Low Oil Pressure. If you read the whole thread I was doing a bit of complaining about how I could not find any existing threads for this problem, mostly because the site search will not search for any words less than 4 letters. So words like "low" and "oil" cannot be searched (not to mention, gas, key, fob and many others)!

So I go to Google and do a search for Aurora 2001 low oil pressure and low and behold I get several hits for discussions at ACNA discussing my exact problem. Why do I have to do a Google search to find a thread on ACNA when I should be able to do a better search right here? Yes, I know, I'm being cranky but "Please"! Thanks for putting up with me. Tom

[RCA1186]

Because the search function on this site leaves much to be desired haha.

In fact most of us don't even bother using it anymore and go straight to google.

I usually go to google, type "aurorah.proboards.com/" and then whatever I am searching for. You'll find things a lot easier that way ha

[Deleted]

Thanks so much. I'll give that a try in the future. Glad I am not the only one to notice this.

[scottydl]

Hey tj, I saw your PM but its better for me to address your questions/suggestions here in public view so everyone can benefit from the answers.

As rca already mentioned the Proboards search function does lack some features, like searching more than 3 letters at a time. The Google option is sometimes the best. The most effective way to use the forum search is by changing the time frame from 7 to 999 days and changing the view to "Threads (collapsed)" rather than "Posts (expanded)" ... that will give you the maximum easily viewable results for your keywords.

Unfortunately we Admins/Mods have no control over the Probards search and cannot modify how it works... its one of the downsides of having ACNA hosted at a "free" server. Some of the software workings are out of our hands.

Your other questions:

1. I was looking for a link to send this message to "Administrators" or "Staff", but could find no such link. It would be nice to hav a simple way to send you guys a message that might not be appropriate for any of the forum categories (like this one).

2. It would also be nice to have a "feedback" link or a "suggestions" link to allow people an easy way t provide feedback or suggested improvements to the site.

Posting publicly is always encouraged so everyone can jump in the discussion, but sometimes there may be sensitive issues that you'd rather not broadcast. There are two good ways to contact all staff simultaneously...

(1) You can e-mail/PM any one of us, or we have a forum e-mail address for all Admins/Mods. That information is listed in this thread within the ACNA Notices and Policies section... a good area for all members to peruse every so often for new changes/announcements.

(2) At the bottom of every post, there is a "Report to Mod" link. That will send a message that all Admins/Mods can see regarding that specific post, if you think that its inappropriate or violates any ACNA rules.

Hope that helps!

[Deleted]

H Scotty, Thanks for your thoughtful and "very helpful" response. Yes, I sent the message only to moderators/admin's because I was fearful of coming across and being negative, which was not my intention. Your response indicated to me that you did not receive it that way. I am grateful.

Also, with regards to the search funcrtionality, I did notice that this is a free hosted website and although I'm sure it is very cost effective for you folks to do it this way, I understand there can also be limitations associated with it. Aka this particular one.

I have also taken note of your other suggestions and will try to do that in the future. Thanks for your help and all that you do. And all you other moderators and administrators too!

Oh, one more thing. Is is possible that when some one replies to a post that you can send an e-mail with a link to the thread? I know there are other websites that do this. It would certainly help me to remember to reply or follow-up on an initial post I might make. It would also encourage me to come back to the site more often to look around as to what is being discussed.

Thanks,
Tom

[sall]

Google:

'Search Criteria' site:aurorah.proboards.com


ie searching for 'oil pan removal':

oil pan removal site:aurorah.proboards.com

[XJSman89]

You can have an email sent if there is a reply to a specific thread by bookmarking it at the top left. You can manage your bookmarks in your "my profile" screen as to what alerts you want sent. There is a thread in this area detailing it that came up recently.

[Deleted]

Well, even though I thought it somewhat of a dumb question, I guess it pays to ask. I' doing it now. I will also check out the thread you mentioned. Thanks Kindly!

[scottydl]

No problem, thanks for stopping in and asking the questions! It always helps to have these discussions, because I'm SURE you are not the only member who has wondered about those things.