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[Matrix]

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[Harry Hirsute]

Kevin,

Hows about fixing the "search" feature on this forum? Is it possible for you to do so? It would be an invaluable improvement to this forum if you could.

[Matrix]

Yes, you are right. After Google search stopped working, the old search function becomes necessary. When scorpiotiger suggested it some time ago, the phpbb.com was down for a week (I need to download something from it to rebuild the search).

Currently, to add the search function, there are two options:
1. Add the old search back, everything looks exactly the same.
2. Change the forum software to vBulletin, it's a commercial one and more powerful. But the forum will look quite different.

Please let me know what you think.

[Harry Hirsute]

Kevin,

I'm not very computer savvy but perhaps the first of the two options would be the easiest and least disruptive.

Maybe other board members have a stronger preference than I do.

Thanks for being open to the request.

[Xania]

Of the two, I would prefer the first option, then we can keep what is already here.

[Matrix]

The search has been rebuilt. Due to the huge amount of posts, I didn't make all posts searchable, but all posts made by members here are included. Let's see if it works well.

[Matrix]

Here is why I didn't make all posts search-able:

- The search rebuilding would take a couple of days to complete.
- More importantly, when we search something or create a new post, it would be very very slow, this is due to the design of the forum software. This is also why I removed the search before.

The very old posts were not created by members here, I think it's OK to exclude them from the search.

[Xania]

Thank you for your efforts Kevin.

I just did a search for colloidal silver, and the results looked appropriate.
I think it works well.

I certainly agree with your decision to leave much older posts out of the search., and retain those made by our members. Thank you.

[Harry Hirsute]

Thank you, Kevin. I also tried the search feature and it worked well.

This will greatly improve the functionality of this forum, IMO. I'll let ScorpioTiger know.

[EarlyBird]

Now, if you could just come fix MY computer, I'd be even
happier I'm losing what little sanity I have
left

Thanks, Kevin

[just me]

I agree with early bird!!! someone please come fix my computer!!!

[scorpiotiger]

thanks, Kevin.. this is great!

btw.. if you ever do decide to use vbulletin, there is software to convert the posts from phpbb to vbulletin.

VBulletin is really nice, but they charge for it, and it is kind of a "power" type software, with the power needed for big forums. but.. it is very user friendly.

but I don't know if this forum is big enough to warrant the cost and your time.

[Matrix]

scorpiotiger: I should say sorry to you. The search should have been fixed earlier. the required resource website for the fix was down for over a week, then left it behind - I'm too lazy.

I'm not worried about the cost of vBulletin, it's a one-time fee anyway. Actually I have one spared license (discarded a forum). In case more members want vBulletin, I will transfer the forum into it.

[Xania]

Kevin - would a poll on the subject help to decide how many want it?
I sometimes go to a TCM forum which is vBulletin, if anyone wants to look at it.

https://www.chinesemedicinetimes.com/...isplay.php?f=7

[Matrix]

If we use vBulletin, I would like to use a new domain name instead of medscitalk.com, also remove the old guest posts (not posted by the members). Somehow Google doesn't like this forum, it might be a good chance to start over.