Search Function on Forums

[Mew2468]

I've been seeing a lot of new members on TA, and all of the Senior Members keep reminding them to use the search function. It gets frustrating that 5 topics about the same app keep appearing. Perhaps if there was a textbox to search right above the words "Game Discussion", underneath the textbox to search through TA articles, or somewhere else, people would search more often.

Just my two cents.

[Kamazar]

If you're new and read some of the posts, you'll catch on quick that you need to use the search button.

Sure, it's location isn't blatantly obvious, but it's easy enough to spot.

Besides, can a new box even be made?

[snow_mani]

Originally Posted by Mew2468

Perhaps if there was a textbox to search right above the words "Game Discussion", underneath the textbox to search through TA articles, or somewhere else, people would search more often.

Even better would be a button called "Search Forums". Place it directly next to and on the left-hand side of the existing button for starting a "New Thread".

[Mew2468]

Originally Posted by snow_mani

Even better would be a button called "Search Forums". Place it directly next to and on the left-hand side of the existing button for starting a "New Thread".

That would work too. Actually, I kind of like that idea better than mine .

[Mr. Charley]

Originally Posted by snow_mani

Even better would be a button called "Search Forums". Place it directly next to and on the left-hand side of the existing button for starting a "New Thread".

Great idea.
Maybe also an automatic search when starting new threads and it finds other threads with similar titles.

Example of new thread someone is going to start
"Zen Bound is Out, I love it!"

And then an automatic messages comes up once you enter the title stating "we found these similar threads. Are you sure you want to start a new thread" (whatever to the wording, you get the point)
"Zen Bound - Submitted to App Store"
Zen Bound - Expected intro price of $4.99"
Zen Bound - What's the big deal about tying rope"

I think you get the point I'm trying to make...at least I hope.
This would hopefully make the poster think twice, and then just maybe (and it's a big maybe), they'll just post in one of those proper threads....
Maybe I'm too young, naive, and too optimistic

[Prab]

Actually I think the problem is that when people think of search, they look for a textbox (typically somewhere at the top right of the screen real estate) and not for the word "search".

This is a usability problem with the site. Of course, once you know where it is, its not a problem. Of course its noticable when you already know where it is. The issue here is discoverability when you don't know how to search.

So, I think changing it into a button would not really help very much.

[Prab]

Originally Posted by Mr. Charley

Great idea.
Maybe also an automatic search when starting new threads and it finds other threads with similar titles.

Example of new thread someone is going to start
"Zen Bound is Out, I love it!"

And then an automatic messages comes up once you enter the title stating "we found these similar threads. Are you sure you want to start a new thread" (whatever to the wording, you get the point)
"Zen Bound - Submitted to App Store"
Zen Bound - Expected intro price of $4.99"
Zen Bound - What's the big deal about tying rope"

I think you get the point I'm trying to make...at least I hope.
This would hopefully make the poster think twice, and then just maybe (and it's a big maybe), they'll just post in one of those proper threads....
Maybe I'm too young, naive, and too optimistic

This involves playing around with the php files. Not too sure how easy that would be... lol

[Mr. Charley]

Originally Posted by Prab

This involves playing around with the php files. Not too sure how easy that would be... lol

Hey, I just make the suggestions.
That's up to arn to see if it's a worthwhile suggestion and then if it's worth the trouble of implementing!

[Prab]

Originally Posted by Mr. Charley

Hey, I just make the suggestions.
That's up to arn to see if it's a worthwhile suggestion and then if it's worth the trouble of implementing!

Haha. Ya. Of course. And actually, I like your idea. It'll be quite a cool and useful feature. Very Web 2.0 :-P

[yourofl10]

Or when the submit the new thread, a pop box apears and says "Have you searched the forums for rated threads?"

Or something like that