'Google' searching for Pistonheads information.

[greymrj]

This is an appeal really, in an effort to reduce confusion.
It does get very difficult to ensure we all have the correct and most up to date information whenever new threads a started on a subject on which there is already a lot of information on this PH forum.

Recent obvious cases have been on front indicators, servos, gearbox mountings, side repeaters, rocker covers, bottom ball joints etc.
I wonder if some members are not aware that you can search the forum direct from Google (as well as from the Google powered search facility at the top of each PH page).

All I would like to suggest is that if you want to find out about a particular subject you search first, and if necessary add to that topic which will bring it back to the top again. Similarly if you have new information of value to all PH members, add it to the end of a previous thread so we all build up consistent knowledge.

Maybe I am just getting too old to deal with too many separate 'topics'about the same thing!

[Oldred_V8S]

I think the real answer is for Haymarket to fix the search facility.

Whilst you are correct that it is possible to use the Google search facility, the resultant hits are not constrained to the relevant model; one has to trawl through a lot of unrelated results in the hope of stumbling upon the answer; I suspect this is why users choose the path of least resistance.

[Podie]

Oldred_V8S said:

I think the real answer is for Haymarket to fix the search facility.

Whilst you are correct that it is possible to use the Google search facility, the resultant hits are not constrained to the relevant model; one has to trawl through a lot of unrelated results in the hope of stumbling upon the answer; I suspect this is why users choose the path of least resistance.

Why re-invent the wheel?

Google search of PH works very well IMO - it's a case of understanding how to get the most out of Google.

[greymrj]

Unless I am very much mistaken, the original, site specific, search facility will not be reintroduced. It has been made largely redundant now that the 'topic' is accessible to Google, and I cannot see any motivation for Haymarket to reintroduce it.
I have to say that, when I have used Google to search specifically for TVR S, it has been pretty good and I have found topics quite easily. I am not however sure how far back into PH 'archives' the Google search can go. Does anybody know how comprehensive it is? Is there any reason why it cannot find any topic on the 826 page current index?

[Oldred_V8S]

greymrj said:

Unless I am very much mistaken, the original, site specific, search facility will not be reintroduced. It has been made largely redundant now that the 'topic' is accessible to Google, and I cannot see any motivation for Haymarket to reintroduce it.
I have to say that, when I have used Google to search specifically for TVR S, it has been pretty good and I have found topics quite easily. I am not however sure how far back into PH 'archives' the Google search can go. Does anybody know how comprehensive it is? Is there any reason why it cannot find any topic on the 826 page current index?

I understood it goes back 2 years.

[techbotics]

There is a google switch to only target s series forum sorry cant recall what is is.. Probably only works from PH and not google. com.

Cheers D S3

[mikel003003]

I think you hit the nail on the head with 'path of least resistance' it's easier to post a question than search for an answer via Google the ph search facility is very unreliable and Google is a minefield of mixed and outdated information and people (myself included) can be lazy I know some members get frustrated with repeated questions and I agree would be better to have a list of constantly updated faqs?

Edited by mikel003003 on Monday 2nd September 14:57

[mohitos]

It would be easier for people to find original threads if the S Series forum was indexed by subject matter (Engine / Interior / Wheels etc etc). Unfortunately I don't think that's going to happen on PH.

[Oldred_V8S]

techbotics said:

There is a google switch to only target s series forum sorry cant recall what is is.. Probably only works from PH and not google. com.

Cheers D S3

I entered the following to search for Servo's mainly in the S forum.

S Series/servo

Results from other forums are returned where the S Series forum is mentioned, as can be seen from the attached screen grab.

[phillpot]

Just ask again and some kind soul will dig out the relevant old posts for you


Joking aside I went looking for a (not too) old post recently, about a heavy duty gearbox mounting that fits after a little modification, searched all sorts, gearbox, mounting, heavy duty etc and all pre-fixed by TVR S Series, couldn't find it but found other stuff going back "donkey's years" !

[greymrj]

I think Oldred V8S actually makes my point, the Google search actually picked up a 'Wedge' item which was directly relevant...but it also showed that anybody looking for the definitive info on S servos would have to look at at least 4 posts (actually quite a few more) to ensure they did have the full picture. While Google will indeed pick up extra information (which may or may not be relevant) the issue is that the more new postings with the word 'servo' are put on the S forum, the more confusing it will be....whether we had the old search facility or the Google one.

[mohitos]

I don't think the majority of people know the correct way to search using google. Why not make a stickie showing how to construct a search correctly ?

[mikel003003]

There's a correct way ?

[mohitos]

Apparently so if you look how oldred searched above.

[blues3]

A lot of search engine have the facility to use Boolean statements such as AND or OR. With these in uppercase and the target words in lower you can usually extract a more exact and accurate response.

I tried it with ...



and got a much better response back. Going back to 2007.



might be worth a go.

[v8s4me]

These Google tips are very helpful.

If I see a topic I think I might want to refer to in the future I add the page to my internet favourites. That way I can find it quickly later on. Just a thought.

[mikel003003]

That is very interesting!