searching on Pistonheads PLEASE
Discussion
Sorry Pete, I had had enough by then and ran out of time. The link I did give earlier in the day re seat belts was http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I will try to give you more examples but I have pretty well given up using PH search engine as a means of finding threads to link people to for access to existing advice.
I am sorry Pete, I really have tried but I just cannot see how any search angine worthy of the name would select many of the highest listed items as in any way 'relevant'.
To take the example of seat belts again; how the casual mention in a thread of someone having fitted new seat belts in a car of a different make can possibly come up in a search as of MORE relevance than a thread specifically about the make and model of car in the search subject, and which has the specific search words in the thread TITLE, is quite beyond me.
I will try to give you more examples but I have pretty well given up using PH search engine as a means of finding threads to link people to for access to existing advice.
I am sorry Pete, I really have tried but I just cannot see how any search angine worthy of the name would select many of the highest listed items as in any way 'relevant'.
To take the example of seat belts again; how the casual mention in a thread of someone having fitted new seat belts in a car of a different make can possibly come up in a search as of MORE relevance than a thread specifically about the make and model of car in the search subject, and which has the specific search words in the thread TITLE, is quite beyond me.
Thanks Pete, I would really appreciate it if you would. I certainly want to see a PH search facility which can readily be used to direct people to existing information resources. At the moment I simply cannot use it to find those resources quickly enough, and it certainly appears that this applies to most other members of this forum.
I have recently been chasing for old information on various well covered topics for the TVR S. I have tried the new PH Search and no matter how specific the information I input I get a load of information about all sorts of cars and subjects.
I have then tried various "filters" but with little or no success.
Certainly not intuitive and not quick.
I have reverted to looking through the specific postings lists for "TVR" and "S" and doing a visual search of all the threads that may be relevant.
It seems that I am not the only one suffering.
I have then tried various "filters" but with little or no success.
Certainly not intuitive and not quick.
I have reverted to looking through the specific postings lists for "TVR" and "S" and doing a visual search of all the threads that may be relevant.
It seems that I am not the only one suffering.
Thanks guys, RacingPete is the guy in charge of the PH search engine project, the more info we give him about our own experiences the better chance we have of getting the search engine working as we need it.
So I do urge members to try to find a post that know to exist and see if the search engine helps them find it. At least RacingPete now knows it isnt just my 'incompetence', but a genuine issue for us.
So I do urge members to try to find a post that know to exist and see if the search engine helps them find it. At least RacingPete now knows it isnt just my 'incompetence', but a genuine issue for us.
I think the search function must be getting better.
I have just done a search for "plenum gasket" = 653 hits, 434 of which were for TVR. Expanded TVR and hovered over S series until "only" appeared. Clicked on this gave 47 hits for the S series alone. Sorted by relevance the first one had the actual words in the title, All the rest contained the words "plenum" and "gasket" in the text, but not necessarily together. (searched using control F). I found the information I needed, but of course I don't know if it missed any other relevant posts.
Best regards
Don
I have just done a search for "plenum gasket" = 653 hits, 434 of which were for TVR. Expanded TVR and hovered over S series until "only" appeared. Clicked on this gave 47 hits for the S series alone. Sorted by relevance the first one had the actual words in the title, All the rest contained the words "plenum" and "gasket" in the text, but not necessarily together. (searched using control F). I found the information I needed, but of course I don't know if it missed any other relevant posts.
Best regards
Don
Sorry Guys, it looks as if the PH search engine isnt going to work for us. I have tried to keep the issue alive but it appears that the search engine cannot deal with S in the description!
I have just tried 6 searches as an experiment. All 6 I knew had recent threads. The results were frankly bizarre. I have absolutely no idea how any search engine could possibly have rated some of those results as relevant. In each case the one I wanted was in there somewhere but what a job to find it! Even where the search subject was precisely the same as the thread title it didnt rate it as particularly relevant.
I also monitor what goes on on the Facebook group of S owners. I often point them to information which is well documented on PH to save reinventing the wheel. But they cannot find it using the PH search engine. There have been quite a few impolite comments about PH as a result!
I have given up for the time being and just Google using TVR S as a prefix and look for the Pistonheads results it finds for me, easier, quicker and actually finds what I want! A useful feature of a search engine!!!
Sorry RacingPete, I know you have tried.
I have just tried 6 searches as an experiment. All 6 I knew had recent threads. The results were frankly bizarre. I have absolutely no idea how any search engine could possibly have rated some of those results as relevant. In each case the one I wanted was in there somewhere but what a job to find it! Even where the search subject was precisely the same as the thread title it didnt rate it as particularly relevant.
I also monitor what goes on on the Facebook group of S owners. I often point them to information which is well documented on PH to save reinventing the wheel. But they cannot find it using the PH search engine. There have been quite a few impolite comments about PH as a result!
I have given up for the time being and just Google using TVR S as a prefix and look for the Pistonheads results it finds for me, easier, quicker and actually finds what I want! A useful feature of a search engine!!!
Sorry RacingPete, I know you have tried.
Dont know if Racing Pete is still watching this thread but is it correct to presume you did not find a way to adapt the search engine to meet our needs? I saw reference on another Gassing Station post to you continuing to have trouble in a few areas, and the S was mentioned.
I just tried a couple of searches but the results seemed frankly bizarre.
I presume we have to assume we wont get the search engine working for us, and we will have to do the best we can with google, but I would like that confirmed so we know exactly where we stand.
I just tried a couple of searches but the results seemed frankly bizarre.
I presume we have to assume we wont get the search engine working for us, and we will have to do the best we can with google, but I would like that confirmed so we know exactly where we stand.
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