Search Enabled for Testing - Plus Members Only
25 February 2004, 01:24 PM
#31
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But the search was just as cr@p on the old software 
I mean you couldn't search in particular forums and you could only return 50 results. Better than sod all, but I'm prepared to wait if it results in a proper search facility.
There must be boards out there who are bigger and don't have as much problems. Is it the software or the servers that can't cope?
I mean you couldn't search in particular forums and you could only return 50 results. Better than sod all, but I'm prepared to wait if it results in a proper search facility.
There must be boards out there who are bigger and don't have as much problems. Is it the software or the servers that can't cope?
25 February 2004, 03:20 PM
#33
Scooby Regular
When the search was enabled for the 24 hrs, I did notice the button so I did use it to search for a few things I was interested.
Speed seemed ok, and it found the articles I needed to read.
Roll on the final version.
Speed seemed ok, and it found the articles I needed to read.
Roll on the final version.
25 February 2004, 03:46 PM
#34
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Originally Posted by webmaster
Hi All
We switched search on for all for 24 hours and monitored the server loads, etc and it definitely slowed the board down. There were a few points where the site was really crawling. For this reason we have decided to investigate ways of improving the performance of search prior to switching it fully on.
Apologies for the inconvenience.
Simon
We switched search on for all for 24 hours and monitored the server loads, etc and it definitely slowed the board down. There were a few points where the site was really crawling. For this reason we have decided to investigate ways of improving the performance of search prior to switching it fully on.
Apologies for the inconvenience.
Simon
) but from what I saw it looked much, much improved from the old version. Hope you can find a way of including the search facility without the speed issues etc... (edit: although I have to say, I wasnt particularly aware of any speed issues while using it).
Regards
John
Last edited by JohnMcC; 25 February 2004 at 03:50 PM. Reason: To add something.
25 February 2004, 04:24 PM
#35
Hi Guys
Search will definitely be included.
The number of sites as large as scoobynet are few and far between - they do exist, obviously, but there are not many. In addition, the profile of our traffic is such that every 100 users online generates more pages than the majority of sites. People move through the site quickly, reading, replying, etc. The catch 22 is that, the quicker you make the site, the quicker people browse through to the next page, so you have to get way ahead of the game in order to keep up
While search was running, we deliberately did not broadcast it, so that those that noticed used it, but we didn't have a sudden flood as everyone pounded it.
Whilst the search engine was fast, and the majority of the time the site ran really smoothly, if someone did a large search that the search engine was not happy with (for whatever reason) the site slowed down dramatically.
As the speed of the site in general is of greater importance than search (although search is obviously very important indeed) we have switched it off (Excpept for plus members) temporarily pending optimising it.
We could have just left it running. But it would have meant a slow site for everyone. It would have meant a lot less work for us, but a reduced experience for everyone else. We have chosen to put the effort into making it work quickly for you.
Please bear with us while we do this, and enjoy the rest of scoobynet in the mean time.
All the best
Simon
Search will definitely be included.
The number of sites as large as scoobynet are few and far between - they do exist, obviously, but there are not many. In addition, the profile of our traffic is such that every 100 users online generates more pages than the majority of sites. People move through the site quickly, reading, replying, etc. The catch 22 is that, the quicker you make the site, the quicker people browse through to the next page, so you have to get way ahead of the game in order to keep up
While search was running, we deliberately did not broadcast it, so that those that noticed used it, but we didn't have a sudden flood as everyone pounded it.
Whilst the search engine was fast, and the majority of the time the site ran really smoothly, if someone did a large search that the search engine was not happy with (for whatever reason) the site slowed down dramatically.
As the speed of the site in general is of greater importance than search (although search is obviously very important indeed) we have switched it off (Excpept for plus members) temporarily pending optimising it.
We could have just left it running. But it would have meant a slow site for everyone. It would have meant a lot less work for us, but a reduced experience for everyone else. We have chosen to put the effort into making it work quickly for you.
Please bear with us while we do this, and enjoy the rest of scoobynet in the mean time.
All the best
Simon
02 March 2004, 10:59 PM
#41
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The site itself has to be *the* fastest board I've been on - some others I still use occasionally appear to be run on a 386SX over a 56k modem!
Search was great for us 'noobs' as it saved having to ask the same old questions to some of the Scooby vets here. Still...it's not the end of the world, is it?!
Search was great for us 'noobs' as it saved having to ask the same old questions to some of the Scooby vets here. Still...it's not the end of the world, is it?!
11 March 2004, 09:13 PM
#44
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Any ideas on when the rest of us are getting search? The site loses a whole lot of its worth if you can't search for things. Part of why Scoobynet is good is because you can find the answer to pretty much anything you need to know, but its not too easy to find stuff if you can't search!
11 March 2004, 11:11 PM
#46
Guys
I'll hand the decision over to you. Would you like me to switch it on and let the site grind to a halt potentially. This would mean the entire site losing it's worth, not just part of it.
On the other hand, would you like us to spend the money and time on getting the search engine working efficiently as quickly as we are able to.
We only have so many hours in the day, and we are using them as best we can.
Regards
Simon
I'll hand the decision over to you. Would you like me to switch it on and let the site grind to a halt potentially. This would mean the entire site losing it's worth, not just part of it.
On the other hand, would you like us to spend the money and time on getting the search engine working efficiently as quickly as we are able to.
We only have so many hours in the day, and we are using them as best we can.
Regards
Simon
12 March 2004, 08:40 AM
#47
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On the one hand I do miss being able to search a lot.
On the other hand, there seems to be little point in switching it on and the site becomeing unusable for all.
"We are where we are."
Keep working on it till its ready and not going to affect site performance dramatically.
Buck
On the other hand, there seems to be little point in switching it on and the site becomeing unusable for all.
"We are where we are."
Keep working on it till its ready and not going to affect site performance dramatically.
Buck
12 March 2004, 10:39 AM
#48
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Whilst I take on board the comments regarding the search and it's effect on the performance of SN as well as there only being so many hours in the day I think that we're all agreed that the search is (or was) about the most useful feature on here.
In light of this might I politely suggest that it may be a good idea to spend the limited amount of hours in the day getting the search working rather than setting up games servers and providing for sale lists etc.
I know it sounds like yet more whinging, but I'm sure I'm only saying what many are thinking and you did say you wanted the views of the community (or one of them anyway).
I used to bitch about the old search, but at least it was there. You never know how good something was until it's gone do you
tiggers.
In light of this might I politely suggest that it may be a good idea to spend the limited amount of hours in the day getting the search working rather than setting up games servers and providing for sale lists etc.
I know it sounds like yet more whinging, but I'm sure I'm only saying what many are thinking and you did say you wanted the views of the community (or one of them anyway).
I used to bitch about the old search, but at least it was there. You never know how good something was until it's gone do you
tiggers.
12 March 2004, 01:47 PM
#50
Guys
If only everything was that simple. The work that is being done on the search engine is not all being done actually by me, and not all of it actually by shaun. We are paying money for this work to be carried out.
In addition, some of the elements of this take time to actually arrive before the next part can be done.
Guys, it would really help if you just trusted us. Having to explain all this stuff continuously is irritating at best, and insulting at worst.
Please leave it to us, as, unlike you (tiggers, especially), we actually know exactly what is necessary, rather than just thinking we do in simplistic terms.
We are working as hard as we are able on this, please trust that. You see the search missing as a problem every time you fancy searching for something whenever you happen to be browsing scoobynet. Shaun and I see it as a problem day and night, every day.
Regards
Simon
If only everything was that simple. The work that is being done on the search engine is not all being done actually by me, and not all of it actually by shaun. We are paying money for this work to be carried out.
In addition, some of the elements of this take time to actually arrive before the next part can be done.
Guys, it would really help if you just trusted us. Having to explain all this stuff continuously is irritating at best, and insulting at worst.
Please leave it to us, as, unlike you (tiggers, especially), we actually know exactly what is necessary, rather than just thinking we do in simplistic terms.
We are working as hard as we are able on this, please trust that. You see the search missing as a problem every time you fancy searching for something whenever you happen to be browsing scoobynet. Shaun and I see it as a problem day and night, every day.
Regards
Simon
12 March 2004, 03:38 PM
#51
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Originally Posted by webmaster
Guys
Please leave it to us, as, unlike you (tiggers, especially), we actually know exactly what is necessary, rather than just thinking we do in simplistic terms.
Please leave it to us, as, unlike you (tiggers, especially), we actually know exactly what is necessary, rather than just thinking we do in simplistic terms.
EDITED AS THERE SEEMS LITTLE POINT IN TRYING TO DISCUSS THIS RATIONALLY OR OTHERWISE! SORRY FOR DARING TO ASK THE QUESTIONS EVERYONE ELESE WANTS TO ASK!! I SHAN'T EVER MENTION THE SEARCH AGAIN EVER!!!
Last edited by tiggers; 12 March 2004 at 03:54 PM.
12 March 2004, 03:52 PM
#52
tiggers
I did not state specifically that your view of the technology was simplistic. I simply stated that your understanding of the *situation* is simplistic, and by your last reply stand by that.
You have attacked me by saying that I have no right to tell you whether you know what is required, and yet you are happy to tell me what is required of my schedule.
Search is being sorted out as quickly as we are able to taking into account all of the financial, logistical, technological, and schedule constraints we have. I will be delighted once I am able to set it live. Until then, I'll continue to work on it with shaun and everyone else who is involved.
Regards
Simon
I did not state specifically that your view of the technology was simplistic. I simply stated that your understanding of the *situation* is simplistic, and by your last reply stand by that.
You have attacked me by saying that I have no right to tell you whether you know what is required, and yet you are happy to tell me what is required of my schedule.
Search is being sorted out as quickly as we are able to taking into account all of the financial, logistical, technological, and schedule constraints we have. I will be delighted once I am able to set it live. Until then, I'll continue to work on it with shaun and everyone else who is involved.
Regards
Simon
12 March 2004, 03:56 PM
#53
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Originally Posted by webmaster
tiggers
You have attacked me by saying that I have no right to tell you whether you know what is required, and yet you are happy to tell me what is required of my schedule.
You have attacked me by saying that I have no right to tell you whether you know what is required, and yet you are happy to tell me what is required of my schedule.
All the best,
tiggers.
13 March 2004, 11:38 AM
#54
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i remember a thread a while ago about community spirit.
well done tiggers - u said things that i was thinking.
its only giving our view, webmaster.
ur response to tigger was at best a mistake in communication, at worse insulting.
there is no need to slag someone off, belittle them, or insult them.
ur job, in my opinion, is to lead by example. a simple statement that there is a critical path to follow and that u are aware of the importance is all that was needed.
it never ceases to amaze me that ur responses are occasionaly tainted with aspects of non-community spirit.
this is not a post with bad feeling. nor is it a post slagging you off. I dont know u as a person. words are hard to understand without feeling, which u dont get on the net. i am purely stating how you have come across in those last few messages. if you dont get feedback, then you wont know if things are coming across wrongly.
all the best
its only giving our view, webmaster.
ur response to tigger was at best a mistake in communication, at worse insulting.
there is no need to slag someone off, belittle them, or insult them.
ur job, in my opinion, is to lead by example. a simple statement that there is a critical path to follow and that u are aware of the importance is all that was needed.
it never ceases to amaze me that ur responses are occasionaly tainted with aspects of non-community spirit.
this is not a post with bad feeling. nor is it a post slagging you off. I dont know u as a person. words are hard to understand without feeling, which u dont get on the net. i am purely stating how you have come across in those last few messages. if you dont get feedback, then you wont know if things are coming across wrongly.
all the best
13 March 2004, 12:23 PM
#55
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Simon,
I haven't read this entire thread so sorry if this is covered elsewhere.
The old search function felt a little rudimentary. Offering searches only by date range. I recall several threads where the starter had a disclaimer along the lines of "please don't tell me to use search but can you tell me....".
Is the new search function 'enhanced' in any way over the old BBS?
In the interim, is there any way to increase (via my profile?) the number of threads shown per page in the web browser (ie6 for me)? I've been using ie6's find function a little but having to click next page every 20 threads or so makes it hard work.
Thanks,
Jeremy.
I haven't read this entire thread so sorry if this is covered elsewhere.
The old search function felt a little rudimentary. Offering searches only by date range. I recall several threads where the starter had a disclaimer along the lines of "please don't tell me to use search but can you tell me....".
Is the new search function 'enhanced' in any way over the old BBS?
In the interim, is there any way to increase (via my profile?) the number of threads shown per page in the web browser (ie6 for me)? I've been using ie6's find function a little but having to click next page every 20 threads or so makes it hard work.
Thanks,
Jeremy.
13 March 2004, 03:08 PM
#56
Hi Guys
The difficulty is that I've answered this question countless times, many times in this thread alone. So I felt a little frustrated about the comments that we should spend more time on search and less on things like game servers.
vindaloo
I believe there is a setting in your control panel which allows you to change the number of threads per page. The search facility is greatly enhanced from the one we used on the old software.
All the best
Simon
ur job, in my opinion, is to lead by example. a simple statement that there is a critical path to follow and that u are aware of the importance is all that was needed.
vindaloo
I believe there is a setting in your control panel which allows you to change the number of threads per page. The search facility is greatly enhanced from the one we used on the old software.
All the best
Simon
13 March 2004, 06:15 PM
#57
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Originally Posted by webmaster
The difficulty is that I've answered this question countless times, many times in this thread alone. So I felt a little frustrated about the comments that we should spend more time on search and less on things like game servers.
i understand that it can be hard.
i bet that we have all deleted lines in responses before submitting.
I just did it 3 times to phrase that correctly.
ur last response was just right.
13 March 2004, 07:12 PM
#58
Right - Update
The status is this. The search facility on vBulletin uses their own indexing facility. It is actually pretty good, but nowhere near as efficient as the in-built MySQL database fulltext search facility.
One of the things we're trying is a modification to re-work the search facility to use the MySQL search engine. Unfortunately, as a test we've started to index a duplicate copy of the scoobynet database to see how long the site would need to be offline prior to search going live.
This has been running for over 48 hours now and there is no way of telling how far it has got through the 3 million posts we have on scoobynet.
This is one of the problems of a huge forum such as ours.
This is concerning as it may be that we've gone down the wrong route as I do not think any of us could justify the forum being down for 2 - 3 days.
I'll let you know how we get on.
All the best
Simon
The status is this. The search facility on vBulletin uses their own indexing facility. It is actually pretty good, but nowhere near as efficient as the in-built MySQL database fulltext search facility.
One of the things we're trying is a modification to re-work the search facility to use the MySQL search engine. Unfortunately, as a test we've started to index a duplicate copy of the scoobynet database to see how long the site would need to be offline prior to search going live.
This has been running for over 48 hours now and there is no way of telling how far it has got through the 3 million posts we have on scoobynet.
This is one of the problems of a huge forum such as ours.
This is concerning as it may be that we've gone down the wrong route as I do not think any of us could justify the forum being down for 2 - 3 days.
I'll let you know how we get on.
All the best
Simon
