Does the Forum Search Engine work?

[Alexx]

I was trying to locate a specific post and started typing in words that I thought might have appeared in the topic.

As I increased the combination of words via the search engine, the choices INCREASED.

This is a mathematical impossibility.

Any ideas?

[GreenDragon]

Ya go back to Mathematics 101,this time pay attention.

[kehvan]

I was trying to locate a specific post and started typing in words that I thought might have appeared in the topic.

As I increased the combination of words via the search engine, the choices INCREASED.

This is a mathematical impossibility.

Any ideas?
I guess you don't understand the difference between an AND and an OR operator.

Heres a simple lesson even you could understand. A search engine can return hits on any one search terms, or it can return hits that only contain all the search terms.

In the case of the search that returns any of the terms, the search terms are OR'd.

"'search term' OR 'search term' OR 'search term' OR 'search term'"

Each additional search term increases the number of hits returned.

In the case where the search engine returns hits that contain all search terms, the search terms are AND'd together.

"'search term' AND 'search term' AND 'search term' AND 'search term'"

In this instance each additional search terms decreases the number of hits returned.

[Alexx]

"even I can understand", thanks pal.

[Alexx]

By the way, the search engine choices ebbed and flowed in the 800's, again, not at all likely when one adds additional words.

[kehvan]

By the way, the search engine choices ebbed and flowed in the 800's, again, not at all likely when one adds additional words.
And what keywords are you using?

Are you noticing the two bullets under the text box...

Search for any terms or use query as entered

and

Search for all terms

Did you follow these instructions on the search page...
You can use AND to define words which must be in the results, OR to define words which may be in the result and NOT to define words which should not be in the result. Use * as a wildcard for partial matches

I'd bet you're not, or you haven't a clue how to use a search engine.

[Sam Ayyam]

Isn't the default operator for most search engines "AND?"

If it's "OR" here, I would find that an anomaly, but considering how vigourously your "portfolio" site sucks donkeys, keh, I wouldn't be at all surprised that you wouldn't know this.

But I am just a caveman and unfamiliar with your modern ways...

Christ, you guys can't even be nice when someone is asking an honest process question.

Since Ari has retired, I'm thinking about establishing a long overdue new award: The Rove.

Sheesh!

Get a life, children!

[kehvan]

Isn't the default operator for most search engines "AND?"

If it's "OR" here, I would find that an anomaly, but considering how vigourously your "portfolio" site sucks donkeys, keh, I wouldn't be at all surprised that you wouldn't know this.
Most internet search engines AND the keywords by default, but quite a few site search engines OR the keywords by default. The phpBB software OR's the keywords by default. This is very clear by just opening your eyes...
http://dwayne.united-states-of-earth.com/images/default_search_arianna.gif

Look at the default - look at what is circled in red. Now what exactly do you think "Search for any terms" means???

Any terms is a function of the OR operator.

[Sam Ayyam]

Good point, keh.

But the search engine here really is rather byzantine and overwrought.

Probably to make it more convenient for people unfamiliar with Boolean logic. Myself? I'd just assume be able to enter my own arguments.