Why does searching not work?
 

I just posted and I included "Rome" in the title and in the body of the post. But if I search for the text "Rome" that post doesn't appear.
What's the deal with that??

Because the Fodor's search engine is pathetic.

If you're looking for your own posts, just click on the blue link with your screen name on it, and that should bring up all your posts.

Thanks StCirq,

I did figure out using the screen name method but I thought a little whining might grease the wheels of progress... :)

Grant

It seems to depend...on what I am not sure...as I just input the word "Rome" and all sorts of posts came up..but perhaps not the one you particularly wanted!

As to the notion that whining about it, or even mentioning it and not whining about it, will get it fixed, I'm afraid that doesn't happen. These days I think the only time anything gets noticed by the real editors is when they suddenly decide to pull a post...again for reasons (sometimes) unknown.

I have no explanation, but I've experienced the same problem. I recently posted a question about British Air's carry-on baggage policy and had done a search to see if it was already answered. Tried a couple of searches and didn't get anything... but sure enough when I posted my question, someone pointed me to a thread from a couple months ago that addressed exactly my question. Not sure why it didn't come up in my search. Frustrating yes - but good to know that just because your search doesn't turn up a thread doesn't mean there's not one out there! Often another member will be able to find the very one you're looking for!

<b>GOOGLE!</b>

Click &quot;Advanced Search&quot;
Enter your search criteria
Type fodors.com in the &quot;Domain&quot; box

I did exactly what Robespierre suggests. I searched Google for the word &quot;criteria&quot;, restricted to the domain fodors.com - - and this thread is not retrieved.

And I think this answer is woefully off the point...

&lt;&lt;Because the Fodor's search engine is pathetic.&gt;&gt;

The Fodor's search engine leaves much to be desired - - for the portion of the database which has been &quot;indexed&quot; - - the real answer to the original question from &quot;westcanuck&quot; is that Fodors has not done <u>indexing</u> of the database since May 4 (as far as I can tell).

See http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34613284

and/or

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34620862

Best wishes,

Rex

New posts have to be &quot;captured&quot; in the indexing process, and it seems that is done periodically, not instantaneously.

Do you think Google instantaneously indexes all new internet content?

Well, it doesn't. Try a post that's been up for a few days.

Here, google this:

<b>you're under 25 and a size 10</b>

&lt;&lt;New posts have to be &quot;captured&quot; in the indexing process, and it seems that is done periodically, not instantaneously.&gt;&gt;

Yes, but not performing the indexing process for over two months is crazy.

And...

&lt;&lt;Do you think Google instantaneously indexes all new internet content?&gt;&gt;

No. This is my point exactly. Go back and look at the OP's question. Your response implied that you had a way to find the post s/he was asking about (that had just been posted).

I have no idea how or when any particular thread gets picked up here by Google. From what I can tell, on the basis of searching for my own name, somewhere between 15 and 40% of the posts can be retrieved this way.

Including some fraction of those posted since May 4.

&lt;&lt;I did exactly what Robespierre suggests. I searched Google for the word &quot;criteria&quot;, restricted to the domain fodors.com ...&gt;&gt;

Okay - - it's now 17 days later - - and a Google search on &quot;criteria&quot;, restricted to fodors.com DOES retrieve this thread now. It's fifteenth on a list of over 1200 retrievals.

The Moon revolves or orbits around the Earth.
The Moon and the Earth revolve around the Sun.
The motion of the Sun, Earth, and Moon are cyclical.

The other fact is...Fodor's search revolves around NOTHING!

I question the nature of the indexing process Fodors uses, as old threads I remember distinctly cannot be brought up 6 months later, even when using a four word phrase directly from the post headline. They may be lazy and behind in indexing, but their indexing is either incomplete or incompetent.

In short, the search feature IS pathetic!

Glad to hear it isn't just my computer or own technological lack of knowledge. I am so much happier having discovered the &quot;click on user name trick&quot; but also find I have to click on it multiple times to ensure that I find what I am looking for.

That said I find Fodors Talk, much much better organized than Slow Trav, Rick Steves, and for basic information not hotels, Trip Advisor.,,,,

Searching does &quot;work&quot; again, (for now)... kinda, sorta...

as good as it ever did...