Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: johnw on January 03, 2009, 05:39:51 PM

Title: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: johnw on January 03, 2009, 05:39:51 PM
Recently someone posted a lovely shot of Cyrtanthus obliqua.  When I put the same in the search box no postings are found containing the same.  Does the search function snag photo names or must it be in the text of the original message?

Oftentimes when I check messages posted "today" they all disappear when GMT passes midnight and a blank new day starts while the Scots sleep. Is there a way to see the posts chronologically so I don't miss any?

johnw
Title: Re: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: Maggi Young on January 03, 2009, 07:01:39 PM
 Yes, John, the search function only picks up items from the text, which is why we encourage those posting photos to include the file names in the text.

I was unaware of the problem with viewing "todays" posts when your today is different from mine, so to speak!
To overcome this snag, I suggest you check out the area on the front page of the Forum http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php

and look at the foot of the page, where it says: Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum - Info Center  
In this snapshot of that area, you will see there is a + sign at the right hand side......
[attach=1]

when you click on that + sign, the area will expand to show this view .....
[attach=2]
The area that is relevant to your quest to find the latest unviewd posts, since your last visit is the one in RED.... click on that and you will see page by page what is "new"
Forum Stats ..........
  66373 Posts in 2418 Topics by 740 Members. Latest Member: xxxxx
Latest Post: "Re: Galanthus Events 200..." ( Today at 05:18:38 PM )
View the most recent posts on the forum.  


Hope this helps..... now I'm off to see what a search for that Cyrtanthus brings up for me!
Title: Re: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: Maggi Young on January 03, 2009, 07:10:19 PM
Just realised that the front page can look very different of all the + and - options are closed off.... then it looks like this ( missing very top of page)

[attach=1]

If one does not have all those options clicked open, then it is too easy to miss new threads in the many sections!

here is part of the page with sections opened to view.....

[attach=2]
Title: Re: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 05, 2009, 07:13:15 PM
I'm still trying to find the reference to Rogan's marvellous South African Cyrtanthus (maybe) coccineus. Tried the search as instructed by Maggi recently and came up with "You may be trying to find Serotinin's cocaine." ??? Tried just Cyrtanthus and came up with 2 refs but not the right one.
Title: Re: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: mark smyth on January 05, 2009, 07:17:02 PM
This one?
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2731.msg63217#msg63217 (http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2731.msg63217#msg63217)
Title: Re: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: Paul T on January 05, 2009, 08:14:55 PM
I'm still trying to find the reference to Rogan's marvellous South African Cyrtanthus (maybe) coccineus. Tried the search as instructed by Maggi recently and came up with "You may be trying to find Serotinin's cocaine." ??? Tried just Cyrtanthus and came up with 2 refs but not the right one.

Lesley,

And when you think how many times we have mentioned "Cyrtanthus", the fact it only finds 2 refs if somewhat disturbing.  :o  I know there have been C. contractus, C. falcatus and C. obliquus (I think that is the spelling) posted in the last few months, plus various other bits and pieces.  And that is only recently.
Title: Re: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: Maggi Young on January 05, 2009, 08:27:20 PM
Quote
I know there have been C. contractus, C. falcatus and C. obliquus (I think that is the spelling) posted in the last few months, plus various other bits and pieces.  And that is only recently


 Well, when I searched I did get quite a few references, but Paul has , perhaps unwittingly, shown what may be part of the problem..... with his use of C. contractus ....... if you ask for a search of cyrtanthus then that is what you will get... the search faciltiy will not pick up on those C. references, because, as far as the search engine is concerned, these are not relevant. That is why I will ofetn edit a post to include thefull name of a plant, especially if that name has not been used in full in nearby posts, also why I urge everyone to put the file names of their photos in the text of posts, otherwise the photo subjects will not be identified by the search facility either.
I know the search facility is not perfect, but  think of it as a slightly temperamental genie...it will usually  give up its secrets if asked the right question in the right way! I know that is sometimes a bit bothersome, but it's worth it in the end! If all else fails, a Google of the  desired name plus SRGC can find all sorts of goodies!!
 
Title: Re: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: mark smyth on January 05, 2009, 08:30:56 PM
One short cut is if you know who said or showed whatever go to members, find their name, click it and look at their posts
Title: Re: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: Maggi Young on January 05, 2009, 08:34:23 PM
Recently someone posted a lovely shot of Cyrtanthus obliqua.  When I put the same in the search box no postings are found containing the same. johnw


 John,
just found a thread titled Cyrtanthus obliquus !!!!! It's here: http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2816.0
 ::)
Title: Re: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: Maggi Young on January 05, 2009, 08:37:38 PM


 I've just done another search in this Forum ( as opposed to the Old, archived Forum)

A search for Cyrtanthus in  topic subjects gives six results .

A search for Cyrtanthus in messages, gives 23 results.

Previously  someone was  searching for   Cyrtanthus obliqua.... well, that doesn't exist in the  these pages, but there is a thread for Cyrthanthus obliquus  http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2816.0


 I'll move these search queries to the other "Search " page!!
Title: Re: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: Hans J on January 05, 2009, 08:52:51 PM
Maggi ,

could you maybe move this threads with Cyrtanthus move to Amaryllidaceae ?
Maybe this is a bit easier for searching !
Title: Re: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: Maggi Young on January 05, 2009, 09:21:04 PM
Hans, I thought I had.  :-[   .. I will do so now!
Title: Re: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: Hans J on January 05, 2009, 09:40:11 PM
Maggi ,

Thank you  ;D
Title: Re: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: johnw on January 06, 2009, 01:23:35 AM
Maggi - Thanks for the explanations and detective work! No wonder I couldn't find the Cyrtanthus.

johnw
Title: Re: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: Paul T on January 06, 2009, 03:49:21 AM
Maggi,

I used "C." instead of the full name as it had recently been used and we knew what we were talking about.  I always make sure if posting photos that I put the complete name, as that is the only way they'll ever be found.  I am still surprised if we have only mentioned the name Cyrtanthus 23 times in the whole of these topics.
Title: Re: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: Maggi Young on January 06, 2009, 11:03:49 AM
Quote
I used "C." instead of the full name as it had recently been used and we knew what we were talking about.

 You are missing my point, Paul : What I am saying is that the search engine does not pick up on those references....how would it distinguish between C. for Cyrthanths and C. for cyclamen?  This will inevitably reduce the number of hits!


Quote
I am still surprised if we have only mentioned the name Cyrtanthus 23 times in the whole of these topics
.

Well, Paul, that is your prerogative.  However, I am not so sure that this is a genus which has been that much discussed......
and with the  Current Forum alone having 66785 Posts in 2438 Topics by 744 Members... I am not inclined to wade through, page by page, to prove the point !  :P

Title: Re: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: Hans J on January 06, 2009, 12:46:10 PM
Maggi ,

could you maybe please write someting under "Posting pictures" that every plantname should also be written in the text -so the search maschine can find them .
Title: Re: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: Maggi Young on January 06, 2009, 01:26:52 PM
Hans, I have made such posts in various places in the past, but I will, certainly, repeat it as  you suggest... perhaps this time it may have some effect!

I have made the post again here......   http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=65.msg68068#new
 Re: Viewing pictures on the Forum
« Reply #5 on: Today at 01:22:49 PM »

 
I have renamed the above thread as Viewing and Posting pictures on the Forum   and have made reference to the other help page on Forum use and posting.  Perhaps this will help!

Title: Re: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: Hans J on January 06, 2009, 01:37:37 PM
Yes Maggi I know ....but always comes new members ....
Title: Re: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: Maggi Young on January 06, 2009, 02:06:47 PM
Yes Maggi I know ....but always comes new members ....

And be sure I am very pleased that there are always new members! 



Note to all readers, whether old, new  or recycled:
There must  be a limit to how often I will repeat information that is already laid out clearly, in addition to the forum system help pages  ::)  Please read  those pages before you post!
I begin to feel like a school marm  :'(

Title: Re: SEARCH FUNCTION
Post by: Paul T on January 07, 2009, 11:29:02 AM
Well, Paul, that is your prerogative.  However, I am not so sure that this is a genus which has been that much discussed......
and with the  Current Forum alone having 66785 Posts in 2438 Topics by 744 Members... I am not inclined to wade through, page by page, to prove the point !  :P

Maggi,

Where is your dedication then? I mean Gosh.... that should only take you a few months, and I'm sure by then we will have something else that you then start the search again for, after that.  I mean you could have a full time job checking things for us, on top of the full time job you have looking after the BD and Lilly, and the other full time job you have monitoring this forum, and the other full time job you have...... etc.  ;)

We all love you dearly and this place most definitely could not run without you.  I for one greatly appreciate what you do, even if I do give you gyp on very, very, VERY rare occasions.  ;D
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal