Cindy

I have noticed that the search function now searches the whole text of a message. I think it used to search just the title. I think I would prefer that Fodor's change the search feature to search only titles. Lately, I have tried to do a few searches to get some basic information. I pulled up huge numbers of responses, most having little to do with the query. I think this is because the search finds every reference to my search in the text, and many threads will mention the reference only in passing. Plus, the search function seems A LOT slower now. Plus, often the best threads have really specific titles, and those are the ones I'm looking for anyway. Since we'd all like people to search more often rather than start threads that have been discussed here frequently, shouldn't the search function be changed only to search the title? Am I doing something wrong? Or am I all wet? <BR> <BR>I thought about just e-mailing Fodors with my opinion, but then I considered that others may disagree, and I'd hate to ask for a change that everyone else might hate.

elaine

Cindy, As far as I knew it always searched the messages and not just the titles, at least it did when I searched. If it was different for a while, I was not aware. I agree that sometimes after a search I ended up with just a passing reference <BR>(for example, the word "Venice" being just mentioned) with no real information provided but personally I'd rather pick up the occasional extra piece of info or good hint that may show up in text that started out with a different title, rather than rely on titles alone. For example, in the current revived thread "Historical Gravesites", if just the title were searched one might not find the hint that Elvira included on the Deportation Memorial. <BR>I'm just wondering if you'd get more precise information if you restricted your search phrase more, and then checked off "match exact phrase"? <BR>Just as a broad example, searching for <BR>"Paris budget hotel 5th" rather than just "Paris hotel". Perhaps you already define your searches that way, I'm just wondering. <BR>

chris

Funny you mention this today. Earlier this morning, I sent a note to Fodors requesting that the words I used in my search, be highlighted in the search result, so that I may quickly skip the non applicable information. <BR> <BR>

Bets

No way, Jose--I for one am thrilled that Fodors has brought back searching by message. Much more precise and useful. To make your searches a little easier, though, you might want to try using the "Find" command on your computer. If you're using a PC, just click on the message section once you've chosen a thread and holding down the Control key, hit the F key. That should bring up a screen that will ask you what you're trying to find. This function will find and highlight whatever you need. If you're on a Mac, I think it must be apple + F. Good luck! And thank you Fodors!

tina

I like the seach of the whole message. A lot of headers are non specific and I miss too much week to week otherwise. This forum is so active and full of good stuff. That's why so much comes back.

Mae

Yes, I have had recent frustration too! I posted a few days ago with the title" Montepulciano or Pienza". I have typed the exact letters in the Text Search area and it never shows up. I have tried just typing one word "Montepulciano", I have clicked find, also reload. The first time I found it, I needed to scroll through about 200 postings. Nothing else seems to work. It seems like this should be pretty simple to use. Not sure yet what the problem is.

Sheila

The search function is erratic in its application but I far prefer having the whole message searched than just the title. <BR> <BR>Please don't go back, Fodors

Cass

Resounding second to continuing to search the entire message text -- far too many titles give no clue about what's in the post ("Help me with Spain" for example)! But highlighting the terms would be a giant step ahead in helpfulness, too.

Cindy

OK. I give. You guys make good points, and I thank you for the search pointers. I am glad I asked before I made a request to Fodors.

Caitlin

Well - I really hope Fodors are reading this. <BR> <BR>I also think searching on the whole text is essential - if I want to see if anyone has recommended a hotel I'm considering just searching on the title wouldn't help. Highlighting the words would be great though. <BR> <BR>But I don't understand why it doesn't seem to always work. I've put in searches for words to trst this and not got the messages I've just been reading come up in the results, even when I 'copy' 'paste' the titles from the posts. <BR> <BR>I've also noticed that sometimes the posts aren't appearing in the topics you pick. It's happened once to me, and I just noticed someone else in the Italy forum mentioning the same thing. There seems to be some bugs in the indexing. <BR>

Kavey

Me three!!! <BR> <BR>I agree with keeping whole message searching. I also love the idea to highlight the search words within the resulting posts... <BR> <BR>Kavey