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| offtopic:how_to_use_the_search_function [2017/09/29 18:22] – [Discussion Board Search Function] petike | offtopic:how_to_use_the_search_function [2019/03/29 15:13] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1 |
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| Note: The range of search settings available will gradually expand as you go hierarchicaly deeper into AH.com. While on the main board page (front page), you will see the above version of the search box - the most minimalistic one, offering no special, additional settings. Entering a forum will yield more setting options for searching, entering a thread in a forum will add at least one further search setting. More on this later. | Note: The range of search settings available will gradually expand as you go hierarchicaly deeper into AH.com. While on the main board page (front page), you will see the above version of the search box - the most minimalistic one, offering no special, additional settings. Entering a forum will yield more setting options for searching, entering a thread in a forum will add at least one further search setting. More on this later. |
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| {{:offtopic:search_function_entering_term.png?200|Entering a term or phrase into the search line}} | {{:offtopic:search_function_front_end_entering_term.png?200|Entering a term or phrase into the search line (board level search box)}} {{:offtopic:search_function_forum_entering_term.png?200|Entering a term or phrase into the search line (forum level search box)}} {{:offtopic:search_function_entering_term.png?200|Entering a term or phrase into the search line (thread level search box)}} |
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| If you want to search for terms appearing in various posts and threads on the forum, use the first line of the box (with the default text "//Search...//", rendered in italics). | If you want to search for terms appearing in various posts and threads on the forum, use the first line of the box. As you've no doubt noticed in the earlier picture, the default text until you start typing is "//Search...//" (rendered in italics). |
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| {{:offtopic:search_function_title.png?200|Searching for a thread or post by its title}} | {{:offtopic:search_function_title.png?200|Searching for a thread or post by its title}} |
| If you want your search words to involve //only the titles of threads or posts//, tick the tiny checkbox below the first line (titled "Search titles only"). | If you want your search words to involve //only the titles of threads or posts//, tick the tiny checkbox below the first line (titled "Search titles only"). |
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| {{:offtopic:search_function_member_board.png?200|}} {{:offtopic:search_function_member_forum_and_thread.png?200|}} | {{:offtopic:search_function_member_board.png?300|}} {{:offtopic:search_function_member_forum_and_thread.png?300|}} |
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| If you want to search for various //posts and threads by specific board members//, use the second line of the box (titled "Posted by Member:"). Type in the name of the member (as accurately as you can remember), then hit Search. You can enter several names of board members, but please seperate them with commas. | If you want to search for various //posts and threads by specific board members//, use the second line of the box (titled "Posted by Member:"). Type in the name of the member (as accurately as you can remember), then hit Search. You can enter several names of board members, but please seperate them with commas. As you can notice in the first image, the board's software might help highlight the board member's name if you're typing it in correctly (helpful, huh?). |
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| {{:offtopic:search_function_specific_date.png?200|Specifying further search info in the interactive calendar}} | {{:offtopic:search_function_specific_date.png?300|Specifying further search info in the interactive calendar}} |
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| If you want to search for various posts and threads //based on more specific dating//, you can also use the third line of the box (titled "Newer than:") to change the date settings. Click the line, a small calendar-like box will pop up, on which you can change the date (everything from days to weeks to months to years), then search. | If you want to search for various posts and threads //based on more specific dating//, you can also use the third line of the box (titled "Newer than:") to change the date settings. Click the line, a small calendar-like box will pop up, on which you can change the date (everything from days to weeks to months to years), then search. |
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| {{:offtopic:search_function_this_forum_only.png?200|Search results narrowed down to those from the currently visited forum}} | {{:offtopic:search_function_this_forum_only.png?300|Search results narrowed down to those from the currently visited forum}} |
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| While you are in a //specific forum// somewhere on the board, some new options will be added to the Search box. These include two new tiny checkboxes, one below the other in a cascading direction. The upper one is titled "Search this forum only" and ticking it will force the Search function to only search within the forum you are currently in (e.g. After 1900, ASB, Books and Media, etc.). | While you are in a //specific forum// somewhere on the board, some new options will be added to the Search box. These include two new tiny checkboxes, one below the other in a cascading direction. The upper one is titled "Search this forum only" and ticking it will force the Search function to only search within the forum you are currently in (e.g. After 1900, ASB, Books and Media, etc.). |
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| {{:offtopic:search_function_results_as_threads.png?200|Search results set to be displayed as threads}} | {{:offtopic:search_function_results_as_threads.png?300|Search results set to be displayed as threads}} |
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| The lower one is titled "Display results as threads" and ticking it will force the Search function to display //all results as individual threads//. This is handy when you only want to view them this way and not veer through a multitude of individual posts found in a search. Ticking this lower checkbox will also automatically tick the upper checkbox, as the lower one is "subservient" to the upper one as a search setting. | The lower one is titled "Display results as threads" and ticking it will force the Search function to display //all results as individual threads//. This is handy when you only want to view them this way and not veer through a multitude of individual posts found in a search. Ticking this lower checkbox will also automatically tick the upper checkbox, as the lower one is "subservient" to the upper one as a search setting. |
| Ticking this will force the Search function to only search within the thread you are currently in. This is invaluable if you want to search for specific individual posts within a thread. | Ticking this will force the Search function to only search within the thread you are currently in. This is invaluable if you want to search for specific individual posts within a thread. |
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| Due to this being an option geared towards finding posts in a thrad, rather than whole threads, there are some limitations. When the "thread only" checkbox is ticked, the other two below it are automatically un-ticked. You can't have all three ticked at the same time. Similarly, you cannot choose title-only searching while in a thread (because the title-search option is reserved for finding whole threads in a forum, not posts in a forum). | Due to this being an option geared towards finding posts in a thread, rather than whole threads, there are some limitations. When the "thread only" checkbox is ticked, the other two below it are automatically un-ticked. You can't have all three ticked at the same time. Similarly, you cannot choose title-only searching while in a thread (because the title-search option is reserved for finding whole threads in a forum, not posts in a forum). |
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| Try practicing different combos, especially if you're in a particular forum or particular thread ! Always choose options that make the most sense. For instance: | Try practicing different combos, especially if you're in a particular forum or particular thread! Always choose options that make the most sense. For instance: |
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| {{:offtopic:search_function_topic_and_member_combo.png?200|Searching for particular contents by a particular board member in a particular thread (e.g. the terms "African ISOT", "Alien Space Bats", etc.)}} | {{:offtopic:search_function_topic_and_member_combo.png?200|Searching for particular contents by a particular board member in a particular thread (e.g. the terms "African ISOT", "Alien Space Bats", etc.)}} |
| Visit any thread, and try to find out whether a specific member has posted something related to "African ISOTs" (or any other content) in that particular thread. Type in said search terms, then correctly type in the name of the board member, check the "search this thread only" option, then click Search. | Visit any thread, and try to find out whether a specific member has posted something related to "African ISOTs" (or any other content) in that particular thread. Type in said search terms, then correctly type in the name of the board member, check the "search this thread only" option, then click Search. |
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| {{:offtopic:search_function_grand_tl_seeking_combo.png?200|Searching for a particular thread by a particular board member in a particular forum (e.g. thread with "WI ?" discussion, thread with timeline or scenario, etc.)}} | {{:offtopic:search_function_grand_tl_seeking_combo.png?200|Searching for a particular thread by a particular board member in a particular forum (e.g. thread with "WI?" discussion, thread with timeline or scenario, etc.)}} |
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| Or, try looking for some member's timeline... Visit a forum or a thread, Type in the name of the timeline and the name of the board member (both as accurately as possible), then checking the two searching-for-threads-in-a-forum options and the title-searching option, and clicking Search. | Or, try looking for some member's timeline... Visit a forum or a thread, type in the name of the timeline and the name of the board member (both as accurately as possible), then check the two searching-for-threads-in-a-forum options and the title-searching option, and click Search. |
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| {{:offtopic:search_function_advanced_options.png?200|The advanced search options}} | {{:offtopic:search_function_opening_advanced_options.png?150|Click the blue "More..." button to access the advanced search options}} {{:offtopic:search_function_advanced_options.png?300|The advanced search options}} |
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| In addition to the basic Search box and its options, you can also click on the blue button in the bottom right corner of it, titled "More...". This will open up a new screen, offering detailed, advanced Search options. | In addition to the basic Search box and its options, you can also click on the blue button in the bottom right corner of it, titled "More...". This will open up a new screen, offering detailed, advanced Search options. |
| ==== AH.com Wiki Search Function ==== | ==== AH.com Wiki Search Function ==== |
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| The search function is in the upper right corner, as a Search line. Type in the term you want to search for and press Enter or the small magnifying glass icon on the right end of the Search line. | The search function is in the upper right corner, as a Search line. |
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| | {{:offtopic:search_function_wiki.png?300|The basic look of the wiki search function}} {{:offtopic:search_function_wiki_entering.png?300|Entering a term in the search line}} |
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| | Type in the term you want to search for and press Enter or the small magnifying glass icon on the right end of the Search line. |
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| | {{:offtopic:search_function_wiki_results_found.png?300|Results matching the entered word found}} {{:offtopic:search_function_wiki_selecting_result.png?300|Selecting one of the found results}} |
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| While you type in a word you're searching for, you'll notice that if you're getting close, the Search function will offer you some suggestions that seem to match what you've been typing. If you find one of these suggestions useful, you can click it right away, without having to type in the whole term and press Search. You can also open such links to suggested existing wiki pages by right-clicking on them and opening them in a new tab or new window. | While you type in a word you're searching for, you'll notice that if you're getting close, the Search function will offer you some suggestions that seem to match what you've been typing. If you find one of these suggestions useful, you can click it right away, without having to type in the whole term and press Search. You can also open such links to suggested existing wiki pages by right-clicking on them and opening them in a new tab or new window. |
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| **[[:start|AlternateHistory.com Wiki Main Page]]** | **[[:start|AlternateHistory.com Wiki Main Page]]** |
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