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PCGS, PLEASE RESTORE THE SEARCH FEATURE

SeattleSlammerSeattleSlammer Posts: 10,047 ✭✭✭✭✭
One of my favorite aspects of this forum was the ability to use the search box to reliably call up old threads. Losing that feature really hurts. The search results now have little relation to the keywords searched. PLEASE HELP! Thank you.

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Comments

  • SteveSteve Posts: 3,312 ✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: SeattleSlammer

    One of my favorite aspects of this forum was the ability to use the search box to reliably call up old threads. Losing that feature really hurts. The search "results" now have little relation to the keywords searched. PLEASE HELP! Thank you.



    image




    Look for the "advanced search" link at the top of the page. Then fill in the forum you want, (NOT ALL). Use key words (THREE OR FOUR ONLY) If you know the name of the author of the thread add that. I have been sucessful in retreiving old threads from 2006 to present, primarily mine because I know what key words to use. If you are trying to find old threads by DATE from others it may not work as well unless the key words are fairly unique. Good luck. Steveimage
  • Yes, please help!
  • ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,785 ✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: Steve
    Originally posted by: SeattleSlammer
    One of my favorite aspects of this forum was the ability to use the search box to reliably call up old threads. Losing that feature really hurts. The search "results" now have little relation to the keywords searched. PLEASE HELP! Thank you.

    image


    Look for the "advanced search" link at the top of the page. Then fill in the forum you want, (NOT ALL). Use key words (THREE OR FOUR ONLY) If you know the name of the author of the thread add that. I have been sucessful in retreiving old threads from 2006 to present, primarily mine because I know what key words to use. If you are trying to find old threads by DATE from others it may not work as well unless the key words are fairly unique. Good luck. Steveimage



    Steve - You are right in how the "advanced search" feature can be helpful. But the old search feature was far far far more useful. For instance, I am most interested in threads involving Buffalo Nickels so all I had to do was type "buffalo" in the old search window and PRESTO, I would suddenly see a page full of recent threads about Buffalo Nickels. This took all of one second to accomplish. But with the new search feature... well.... it's a pain to say the least.

    Why would anyone want to use a feature that is more complicated especially when the old feature worked perfectly well?







    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
  • ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,785 ✭✭✭✭
    And another thing, what exactly does the new search feature do? If I do a search for "Buffalo", the first thread that comes up is one discussing a DDO Mercury Dime? That makes ZERO sense!






    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
  • SeattleSlammerSeattleSlammer Posts: 10,047 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks Shamika, you clarified the problem quite well...
  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,630 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: Shamika

    And another thing, what exactly does the new search feature do? If I do a search for "Buffalo", the first thread that comes up is one discussing a DDO Mercury Dime? That makes ZERO sense!

















    This. Totally irrelevant results.
    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • howardshowards Posts: 1,241 ✭✭✭
    If you want better search results, use Google search instead of this forum's search.



    Example, use Google to search for:



    "shield nickel" site:forums.collectors.com



    The site keywords restricts the search to the supplied domain.
  • BoosibriBoosibri Posts: 12,370 ✭✭✭✭✭
    agree, need to be fixed!
  • SteveSteve Posts: 3,312 ✭✭✭
    There is no doubt that the old forum program was much better for our uses. Unfortunately, the decision was made to update FUSETALK and now we have what we have. I've learned to get along with this the best I can. We've lost many members in the past six months because of this. Steveimage
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If I do a search for "Buffalo", the first thread that comes up is one discussing a DDO Mercury Dime?



    I just did a search as outlined above and the DDO thread WAS NOT the first thread that came up. granted, this search feature is a little different than the last but, just as it took some time to get accustomed to this forum format, the search feature works fine if you work at it. in fact, it can actually be a little better. using the keyword "Buffalo" as outlined by Shamika I suggest you go to the advanced feature, use only the US Coin Forum, these exact words box and then "Title" only. simply refine it as needed after that.



    also, if members chose to leave due to this and other changes they are only hurting themselves.

  • DonWillisDonWillis Posts: 961 ✭✭✭
    We agree that this new forum software which is supposedly their 'latest and greatest' is awful. We have kicked off a new project to replace it.



    Stay tuned.



  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Although I have acclimated quite well to the new software, I know many others do not care

    for it. So, thanks Don for your comment and the information that improvements are on the way.

    Cheers, RickO
  • seanqseanq Posts: 8,722 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: DonWillis

    We agree that this new forum software which is supposedly their 'latest and greatest' is awful. We have kicked off a new project to replace it.



    Stay tuned.







    Don, this is great news and I would hate if people missed it because it was buried as a comment in this thread. May I suggest you start a new sticky thread with this announcement, I think many on this Forum will be very happy to hear it.



    Back to the OP's concern, I think the quick search at the top of the forum defaults to searching both the title and body of posts. To limit your search to titles only, you need to do as keets suggested and use the advanced search.



    Sean Reynolds



    Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.

    "Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
  • TyrockTyrock Posts: 311 ✭✭✭
    I completely agree. It worked great before.
  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,630 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: DonWillis

    We agree that this new forum software which is supposedly their 'latest and greatest' is awful. We have kicked off a new project to replace it.



    Stay tuned.







    +1
    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • SeattleSlammerSeattleSlammer Posts: 10,047 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great news thank you.
  • RaufusRaufus Posts: 6,825 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: DonWillis
    We agree that this new forum software which is supposedly their 'latest and greatest' is awful. We have kicked off a new project to replace it.

    Stay tuned.




    Don,,

    Thanks very much!!

    We all realize that this is a free service which PCGS provides. We are most grateful to you for the forum and for your efforts to improve it.

    Best, Ron
    Land of the Free because of the Brave!
  • GoldbullyGoldbully Posts: 17,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: DonWillis

    We agree that this new forum software which is supposedly their 'latest and greatest' is awful. We have kicked off a new project to replace it.



    Stay tuned.







    Honest answer. And we look forward to your generosity.



  • oih82w8oih82w8 Posts: 12,511 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There are several forum members who think that the present "search" feature is severely lacking...and you can count me among them.



    Heck fire I tried using the search feature to find a thread that I started a few weeks back on the Daniel Carr 1916 Centennial Silver rounds to report that I received an email stating that my order was being shipped...I could not find it using the actual thread title and thought that it was deleted or put into the precious metal section.
    oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's

    BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
  • cameonut2011cameonut2011 Posts: 10,181 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: DonWillis
    We agree that this new forum software which is supposedly their 'latest and greatest' is awful. We have kicked off a new project to replace it.

    Stay tuned.



    Thank you. image
  • C0INB0YC0INB0Y Posts: 627 ✭✭
    Thank you.
    I was ‘COINB0Y' with 4812 posts and ‘Expert Collector’ ranking (Joined in 2006).
  • hchcoinhchcoin Posts: 4,836 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: DonWillis
    We agree that this new forum software which is supposedly their 'latest and greatest' is awful. We have kicked off a new project to replace it.

    Stay tuned.



    This is an excellent example of why PCGS is a leader in its industry. image
  • ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,785 ✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: keets
    If I do a search for "Buffalo", the first thread that comes up is one discussing a DDO Mercury Dime?

    I just did a search as outlined above and the DDO thread WAS NOT the first thread that came up. granted, this search feature is a little different than the last but, just as it took some time to get accustomed to this forum format, the search feature works fine if you work at it. in fact, it can actually be a little better. using the keyword "Buffalo" as outlined by Shamika I suggest you go to the advanced feature, use only the US Coin Forum, these exact words box and then "Title" only. simply refine it as needed after that.

    also, if members chose to leave due to this and other changes they are only hurting themselves.


    keets - I typed Buffalo again in the search box and the thread titled 1919 Mercury Dime - CONFIRMED: DDO Discovery Piece still comes up although it is now the 3rd thread listed so I'm not sure what you're doing differently than me. Either way, the method that you suggest is without question inefficient which is contrary to how any improved software package should be.

    As for members "only hurting themselves" by leaving, I think the majority of active board members would disagree with you. When members leave, the entire forum suffers. Granted their have been a few trolls that few of us miss, but most members add to the dynamic of our friendly forum. Anything that adds to ease of use will only encourage greater participation.


    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
  • ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,785 ✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: DonWillis
    We agree that this new forum software which is supposedly their 'latest and greatest' is awful. We have kicked off a new project to replace it.

    Stay tuned.



    Don - Yes, the software is awful and we appreciate that you hear us! THANK YOU!!!

    imageimageimage


    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
  • luckybucksluckybucks Posts: 1,318 ✭✭✭
    Count me in. Searches for old threads are a real pain in the butt. Some searches will not even come up.



    I still sorely miss the old system, and not only would like to see searches resolved, but also would like to see bright orange as an option on the custom screen settings (my old color).
  • SeattleSlammerSeattleSlammer Posts: 10,047 ✭✭✭✭✭
    As for members "only hurting themselves" by leaving, I think the majority of active board members would disagree with you. When members leave, the entire forum suffers. Granted their have been a few trolls that few of us miss, but most members add to the dynamic of our friendly forum. Anything that adds to ease of use will only encourage greater participation.


    I agree with Shamika on this. Ease of use is key. ...yet I even miss many of the trolls. image
  • WingsruleWingsrule Posts: 3,043 ✭✭✭✭
    Shamika,



    The thread titled "1919 Mercury Dime - CONFIRMED: DDO Discovery Piece" inlcudes several posts that reference the 1916/16 Buffalo, this is why that thread shows up in your search results.



    Once you do the advanced search, open up that thread, click the "Search Topic" button, type in "buffalo", and it will display the specific posts tthat contain that word.



    It's working exactly as it should.
  • kazkaz Posts: 9,246 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks Don!
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Either way, the method that you suggest is without question inefficient which is contrary to how any improved software package should be.



    the only trouble is that there can be no software which can read our minds, only those that provide parameters to help us. this current one seems to help provide a more narrow search than the old one but it takes a little patience to learn a new system. I was frustrated at first but through trial and error have been able to use the new one very effectively.



    I suppose that many who are frustrated with the new changes(as I was at first) have given up or left but learning a new system isn't really that difficult.

  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    For instance, I am most interested in threads involving Buffalo Nickels so all I had to do was type "buffalo" in the old search window and PRESTO, I would suddenly see a page full of recent threads about Buffalo Nickels. This took all of one second to accomplish. But with the new search feature... well.... it's a pain to say the least.



    Shamika, I'm not sure why you're having a problem, but I went into the "Advanced Search" and this is what I did and what I came up with.



    Forum Categories --- "Clear All" and highlight U.S. Coin Forum.

    These Exact Words --- Buffalo.

    Search what --- Title only.

    Search!



    the results I get are 5+ pages



    if I do the same search parameters and enter "Shamika" in the Author box I end up with pages of threads created by you.



    though I did not check every thread, I don't see the DDO Merc thread listed.



    -----I will add that it took well under a half-a-minute for the results to display.

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