Searching in vB 3.x

[SoftWareRevue]

Do your members complain that they can no longer search vBulletin the way they used to? That searching for terms like "this+that" brings up every result that includes this and that?

I've heard this story so many times, I thought I'd share the fix.


1. Start by going to vBulletin Options > Search Type (It's the link under the vBulletin Options link under vBulletin Options) Then enable the Fulltext search engine.

2. Once that's done, you need to go to Usergroups > Usergroup Manager > The group you want to enable it for (I do all groups that are able to search) > Edit > Forum Searching Permissions > Can Use Boolean Search = Yes (I leave the Natural Language to No so that members don't have to choose between the two).

That's it.

Pretty simple, eh?

So simple, it only took me a couple months to figure out. And I know there are others out there with the same problem.

[Tyler]

/me gives the Dennis a hug

[Jan]

Hmmmmmmmm at one forum, boolean and natural language were already set to "yes" on all groups.

[SoftWareRevue]

And step 1? :)

[Jan]

One step at a time :P Step one comes before step two, at least where I come from :banana:

[KimmiKat]

Good tip. :)

[linux-tech]

Now if only VB would make that a "default" search option so that one doesn't have to use the "advanced search" for this stuff. I'm sure it's possible somehow.

[SoftWareRevue]

Based on my communication with them, they don't see (or maybe understand) a problem the way it is.

It's just like their answer to you on their forum. "It's always worked that way. Just use boolean."

That answer is far from complete.

I guess my powers of persuasion have dwindled. :flirt:

[adb22791]

It's becuase 75% of all vb users don't even know what php is. They don't want to change anything, becuase 3/4 of their userbase won't be able to figure it out.

[linux-tech]

It's becuase 75% of all vb users don't even know what php is. They don't want to change anything, becuase 3/4 of their userbase won't be able to figure it out.
Right, but they did change it, that's the whole point
in 2.x it worked beautifully. Now, while the function works, it lacks the functionality it had in 2.x (ie search for "linux tech") at default.

The advanced option is there, but that shouldn't really be an advanced option.

[the_pm]

Dennis, you're a lifesaver! We just put this in place on IWDN, and FINALLY we have a usable search!

God, why would vB set the default search setting to "suck?"

[bear]

God, why would vB set the default search setting to "suck?"
That's a great quote there. ;)

[Dave]

I'm a happpy camper now...thanks

Dave