Search for a word string - how to.

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To search for a specific string of words on the forum, users can utilize Google's "site:" operator, such as "electrostatic potential" site:physicsforums.com, as the forum's internal search lacks advanced features like phrase searching with quotes. Boolean searching is available only to certain user levels, allowing for more precise queries, but users are confused about how to use it effectively for exact phrases. The forum's search function has limitations, including a minimum word length for search terms and restrictions on wildcard usage. Additionally, there is a discussion about the potential return of the "Forum Jump" feature. Overall, users seek clarity on effective search techniques within the forum's constraints.
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Search for a word string -- how to.

I have forgotten how to search for a string of words here using advanced search, e.g. 'Newton's laws" or "electrostatic potential". Could someone please remind me?
 
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It seems strange that there is no local way of doing it, like enclosing it in quotes as in Google, or using some other operator, in our own search page. The worst thing is that I can't search for stuff from only one year ago, say. But thanks for the very prompt reply.

Did I mention that your avatar looks more and more like my Principal in school? Well, OK (gulp), I'll do it the way you say, sure, just let me go...:rolleyes:
 


Shooting Star said:
Did I mention that your avatar looks more and more like my Principal in school?

Did you have that guy in "South Park", too? Someone commented a while back that it looks like Mr. Hanky. :smile:
 


jtbell said:
Did you have that guy in "South Park", too? Someone commented a while back that it looks like Mr. Hanky. :smile:

Oh no, not Hanky, then I could have flushed him down. You are the generic School Principal, but he never 'rofl'-ed like you. I'm not so scared any more. :cool:

Greg Bernhardt said:
Contributors can use boolean searching

It would be helpful to know exactly what is the boolean operator for searching for a complete phrase.

From post #5, by Greg, in https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?p=1537951#post1537951,

"Only staff, contributors, HWHs and SAs can use boolean searching. You could would then either use "Laplace Transform" or Laplace AND Transform."

Giving the double quotes or parentheses results in OR, and the AND is not what I was looking for. What will give exactly Laplace Transform and nothing else?
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[(EDIT) I was viewing a saved page...]

On a slightly different note, will the beloved "Forum Jump" ever come back?
 
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Shooting Star said:
"Only staff, contributors, HWHs and SAs can use boolean searching. You could would then either use "Laplace Transform" or Laplace AND Transform."

On a slightly different note, will the beloved "Forum Jump" ever come back?

The quotes is phrase searching and it requires boolean permissions. Forum Jump may return sometime in the future.
 


The following is the result of "Laplace Transform", within quotes, in advanced search. What am I missing?

===================================================
vBulletin Message

The search term you specified ("Laplace*Transform") is under the minimum word length (2) and therefore will not be found. Please make this term longer.

If this term contains a wildcard, please make this term more specific.
===================================================
 
  • #10


Greg Bernhardt said:
fixed, try again

You the man!
 
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