better searching?

[benfidar]

I went in to the archived posts to try to answer a simple question, namely, if there were a list of recommended spark plugs. The trouble is that the search returned 1054 posts with the search inquiry 'which and spark and plugs'.

There has got to be another way other than scanning hundreds of posts. I had better options back in the mid 80's using Gopher.

[ldsbeaker]

how about WR9LS? Search that.

[Shawn D.]

I went in to the archived posts to try to answer a simple question, namely, if there were a list of recommended spark plugs. The trouble is that the search returned 1054 posts with the search inquiry 'which and spark and plugs'.

There has got to be another way other than scanning hundreds of posts. I had better options back in the mid 80's using Gopher.

First, you don't need the "and"s in there. Second, searching on "recommended spark plugs" (what you were really looking for, right?) gives 19 results. "Which" really ain't a good search term, IMO.

[Jeremy]

Now if we could just get people to post things in the correct forum ...

I put {"best spark plugs"} (with the quotes, yes) for a search term into the Google MyE28 box and got two results.

One involved plugs for a 528e, the other involved plugs for a 535i. I don't think I could've asked for better results.

Moral: bad search results are generally the result of a poor choice of search terms.

Putting {how to search} into your favorite internet search engine will yield many articles on this topic.

EDIT: If anyone knows of a really good "how to search" tutorial, please post or PM me a link. I've never found one that directly applies here.

Jeremy

[wkohler]

I am really mad. I was trying to find information on how to reset my service indicator lights on my e28. I searched for "e28" and it said there were no results.

[benfidar]

I went in to the archived posts to try to answer a simple question, namely, if there were a list of recommended spark plugs. The trouble is that the search returned 1054 posts with the search inquiry 'which and spark and plugs'.

There has got to be another way other than scanning hundreds of posts. I had better options back in the mid 80's using Gopher.

First, you don't need the "and"s in there. Second, searching on "recommended spark plugs" (what you were really looking for, right?) gives 19 results. "Which" really ain't a good search term, IMO.

The problem with this search is that, though limited, did not answer the fundamental question. Not even close.

I am really mad. I was trying to find information on how to reset my service indicator lights on my e28. I searched for "e28" and it said there were no results.

That was predictable, but not useful (really kind of stupid and knee jerk and not at all analogous, but that's just me.). The example is not the only time this has happened to me, only the most recent. Searching w9rls was a very clever suggestion but only in this very limited case. When researching things without useful limited numbers.

I do not think that this problem is so easily dismissible by insulting the questioner.

My point here is to say that in the world of prioritizing search results to rank the results by the most recent is hardly the way to go. It was hardly the way to go in 1985.

[wkohler]

I don't really give a crap. I'm not the one with the searching syntax problem, though if you do search for just "E28," you'll find you get zero results.

[benfidar]

I don't really give a crap. I'm not the one with the searching syntax problem, though if you do search for just "E28," you'll find you get zero results.

It is obvious you don't give a crap. It is also obvious that you have had nothing useful to say here. As your comment is neither useful nor germane, you should keep it to yourself. Unless, that is, you should develop a functional sense of irony in the meantime. Then you might have some entertainment value.

[wkohler]

Nothing useful?

I disagree. We have a huge problem with the search function. Huge. Monumental. How many people do you think come in and try to search for "E28" when looking for E28 information?

And they get nothing. So, we lose these potentially great members because they think we have nothing to offer them!

It's a travesty of the greatest proportions. Oh, the huge manatee.

Did you ever think that it would have been a better idea to say, "How do you suggest I search for this," or "Is there a way I can improve my searching technique," instead of saying the search function sucks and the '80s were better? It gets used thousands of times a day without a problem.


Did you by chance read this like you were supposed to?

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=36948


By the way, you need to tell people what motor your have in your car when searching for spark plugs. There are different plugs for a few different applications. If your Euro car has a high compression motor, it takes a different plug than the 8:1 motor.

[benfidar]

Did you ever think that it would have been a better idea to say, "How do you suggest I search for this," or "Is there a way I can improve my searching technique," instead of saying the search function sucks and the '80s were better? It gets used thousands of times a day without a problem.

It seems to me that there several things to say on this.

First, the best way to attract flames from other users is to do exactly what you are suggesting. I did ask how to search better. Second, only one of the suggestions yielded anything useful. It is clear that even the people running this site are having problems searching it. Your only answer to the question is to say, "Yeah, it sucks get over it. And by the way, you are stupid."

There are a limited number of categories of questions and a limited number of answers to each. If this site pretends to be a resource for the model, there are some very simple things and useful things that could be done to make it more so. Insulting someone who asks the question is not one of them.

Did you by chance read this like you were supposed to?

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=36948
.

No shit Sherlock, of course I did. Plainly as I can: you don't seem to understand the question I am asking. The above link is part of the problem. Much more often than not even good searchers come up with shitty search results. This is in many ways due to poor design rather than lazy searches.

The MO of the place seems to be, 'We know a lot. We have spoken in the past. Don't make us repeat ourselves. Our wisdom is in the archives. Look it up for yourself.' Fine, but when the archives are nearly impenetrable, and stupidly ranked only on chronology, than perhaps one needs to have a bit of patience answering simple questions over and over. Either that or construct a simple work around.

Here is a suggestion: How about a recommendations archive? How many different items could be involved? In the end not very many. Really, its not brain surgery.

[ldsbeaker]

I've had relative success with the search function, but it does take quite a bit of fiddling with. In the end, I'm happy with the results. I try to put in as much effort as possible into searching for exactly this reason. (not saying you're wrong)

I hope that my input helped, I just happened to be speaking with someone about platinum plugs in my x3 yesterday, and now whenever I think about plugs, that jumble of letters and numbers pops out.

[nnarth212]

...Really, its not brain surgery.

Have you seen this man's seats? His horn; his BAKED CAKE!?

I nominate Ricardo for executive ambassador of the Blue Ribbon Committee on the Search Function Improvement Implementation Program. He Gets Results.

BRCSFIIP-- meetings bi-weekly, schedule TBD.

[mooseheadm5]

Yes, the search function leaves a little to be desired, but complaining won't change anything because:

Sorry, but that's the way the search works, and unless you can find a phpBB workaround and point it out to the Beamters, that's the way it will remain.

There simply isn't another option. Oh, wait, there is.

You can use Google to search the MyE28.com site.

[C.R. Krieger]

If this site pretends to be a resource for the model, there are some very simple things and useful things that could be done to make it more so.

The site does not 'pretend' to do anything. It is what it is. Having been around this model for a good decade and a half - and around BMWs for another decade before that, I can guaran-damn-tee you that you will not find a better resource for the E28 than this one - despite any shortcomings it may have. So, until something better turns up, this is what you get.

Did you by chance read this like you were supposed to?

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=36948
.

No shit Sherlock, of course I did. Plainly as I can: you don't seem to understand the question I am asking. The above link is part of the problem. Much more often than not even good searchers come up with shitty search results. This is in many ways due to poor design rather than lazy searches.

Ah - but not this time. The same search engine came up with both shitty and excellent search results. So where do you think the problem lies? Did you try varying your search terms? I mean, when I don't get what I'm looking for, that's the first thing I always try. Sounds to me like you searched once and then decided to register a complaint.

The MO of the place seems to be, 'We know a lot. We have spoken in the past. Don't make us repeat ourselves. Our wisdom is in the archives. Look it up for yourself.' Fine, but when the archives are nearly impenetrable, and stupidly ranked only on chronology, than perhaps one needs to have a bit of patience answering simple questions over and over. Either that or construct a simple work around.

You know what? You're absolutely right. You submit your own indexing system for the site and we'll consider switching to it.

Here is a suggestion: How about a recommendations archive? How many different items could be involved? In the end not very many. Really, its not brain surgery.

Gee! What a fabulous idea! Maybe we can call it a "Tech FAQ" or maybe we can put 'Stickies' up at the top of some of the forums! What a great idea! In our traditional spirit of inclusiveness, I am nominating you to write the one on spark plugs! After all, if you're gonna be one of us, you gotta be one of us.

[Shawn D.]

It is clear that even the people running this site are having problems searching it.

How did you deduce that?

Here is a suggestion: How about a recommendations archive? How many different items could be involved? In the end not very many. Really, its not brain surgery.

That's what the FAQ is for. If we need another FAQ on spark plugs, suggest it (or better yet, write it). We don't need a list of search terms or phrases, if that's what you were suggesting.

[slammin_e28]

That's what the FAQ is for. If we need another FAQ on spark plugs, suggest it (or better yet, write it). We don't need a list of search terms or phrases, if that's what you were suggesting.

I've always wanted to write a FAQ

[Shawn D.]

That's what the FAQ is for. If we need another FAQ on spark plugs, suggest it (or better yet, write it). We don't need a list of search terms or phrases, if that's what you were suggesting.

I've always wanted to write a FAQ

A FAQ on what? How to cry when your unvoiced ambitions aren't heard by others?

[slammin_e28]

That's what the FAQ is for. If we need another FAQ on spark plugs, suggest it (or better yet, write it). We don't need a list of search terms or phrases, if that's what you were suggesting.

I've always wanted to write a FAQ

A FAQ on what? How to cry when your unvoiced ambitions aren't heard by others?

I'll get to it then!

[WilNJ]

That's what the FAQ is for. If we need another FAQ on spark plugs, suggest it (or better yet, write it). We don't need a list of search terms or phrases, if that's what you were suggesting.

I've always wanted to write a FAQ

A FAQ on what? How to cry when your unvoiced ambitions aren't heard by others?

It's so rare that I actually LOL, so I try not to use the term, but that got a tried and true LOL.

[Karl Grau]

A FAQ on what? How to cry when your unvoiced ambitions aren't heard by others?

I think Blake is the most qualified to write this one.

[WilNJ]

A FAQ on what? How to cry when your unvoiced ambitions aren't heard by others?

I think Blake is the most qualified to write this one.

No, Blake's ambitions are certainly voiced and unfortunately, for all involved, they are heard by us.

[Karl Grau]

Good point. I stand corrected.

[alijonny]

just a side note here, I found that searching mye28.com was a very comfortable thing to do. When I was in my Lit class lat year, we had a major research project and we were given a lecture on the simple functions of how to search on the internet. It was amazing. Anyway, It made searching ANYTHING online much easier, but you know what? I still can't get through all the crap on bimmmmerforums.com. Searching just comes up with way too many nonsense results. At least mye28 keeps the nonsense to a minimum.

[Jeremy]

just a side note here, I found that searching mye28.com was a very comfortable thing to do. When I was in my Lit class lat year, we had a major research project and we were given a lecture on the simple functions of how to search on the internet. It was amazing. Anyway, It made searching ANYTHING online much easier, but you know what? I still can't get through all the crap on bimmmmerforums.com. Searching just comes up with way too many nonsense results. At least mye28 keeps the nonsense to a minimum.

On that note, I'll say that using the site search here has a definite advantage over the Google search in that you can search specific subforums and get rid of the clutter of possible results from General Convo. BF.c is a clusterfuck of information in many ways, their search is one of them.

[wkohler]

Here's a link I found by searching:

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=88052