Why isn't the search function working?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jcsd
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AI Thread Summary
The search function on the forum is experiencing issues, particularly with the phrase "time dilation," which fails to return results or causes errors. Users suggest that searching for older posts may be more effective through Google by including the username or forum name. It appears that the search tool has limitations on specific phrases, as it works for "dilation" but not when "time" is included. Some users have noted that using a comma allows for successful searches, while others express confusion over the inconsistency. The discussion highlights the need for clarification on the search function's limitations and potential fixes.
jcsd
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thread title explains all.
 
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Unless you are making more than one search within 30 seconds or you're not logged on, everything else seems fine. Try again, because there could have been a server overload.
 
hmm, it seems to be the specific phrrase that I'm looking for "time dilation" (I'm searching for one of my old posts) that it doesn't like
 
jcsd said:
hmm, it seems to be the specific phrrase that I'm looking for "time dilation" (I'm searching for one of my old posts) that it doesn't like

Very weird indeed :biggrin:
 
Sometimes old posts are easier to find using a google search. Just toss in your username and/or physicsforums as one of the search terms.
 
jcsd said:
thread title explains all.
The search function doesn't go back very far. Moonbear's suggestion is a good one.
 
PLEASE,DON'T DO IT!WE'LL HAVE SPIDERS ALL OVER THESE FORUMS AGAIN!:cry:

Daniel.
 
Wow...I guess he was pretty traumatized from the last time. I say do it...then I'll be able to see what these spiders you guys were talking about were all about.

:biggrin:
 
I was traumatized by those spiders too, especially the slurping ones! *shiver*
 
  • #10
I liked those cute little bots :smile:
 
  • #11
It just doesn't work though for the phrase 'time dilation', eventhough there are recent entries conatining the pharse (it works fine when I just serach for 'dilation').
 
  • #12
I hope someone explains what's going on. Inquiring minds want to know. :biggrin: It's "time" that's causing the problem.
 
  • #13
jcsd said:
It just doesn't work though for the phrase 'time dilation', eventhough there are recent entries conatining the pharse (it works fine when I just serach for 'dilation').

Okay, I just tried it. That is VERY weird. It just doesn't seem to like that phrase and refuses to do the search (I get an error that my browser can't load data from that source...the standard error that a page isn't loading). I can search using 'time, dilation' (note the comma) and I can search with other two word phrases without a comma (I tried 'cell biology'), but it refuses to search for 'time dilation.'

When you first posted the question, I thought you meant you were getting 'no results' as the result of your search, or it wasn't find the thread you were looking for, but now I see it just outright refuses to do the search. Weird.
 
  • #14
Use the firefox PF search function that Greg created.

Edit: Okay, oddly enough that won't search "time dilation" either, but it will search "dilation." What the heck is going on here?
 

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