Search results are only ads

Posted by denisiel (137 days ago)

Used to be able to search a topic and see the results from posts in the message boards. For example, I remember reading posts about people who had their air conditioners repaired. But when I search "air conditioner repair", only items for sale and advertised services come up. What happened with being able to search the message boards?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Find what you are after in our Hong Kong A-Z Directory

Posted by Ed (136 days ago)

It brings up both (but mainly the threads). For example if you search "air conditioner"
the result will pull the ads in the classifieds that mention that word then you have all threads that mention air conditioner. This is a bit of an unusual result because there happen to be quite a few ads in the classifieds for air conditioners... with most searchers that is not the case so you will get almost all the results coming from the forums.

We feel that it is most useful to search the entire site but may tweak this if we find there is better utility searching specific sections only.

http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/search.asp?q=airconditioner&sa=Search&cx=013841475065393223290%3Afoqcvmqsv84&cof=FORID%3A11&ie=UTF-8#942

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by denisiel (136 days ago)

Have tried a few other searches but see mostly ads. Anyway, thanks for looking into it.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Ed (134 days ago)

After consulting with VGER (the creator) just now here's the plan:

We will keep the Search Hong Kong at the top of all pages including the forums. That search will grab content from every nook and cranny of the site - if say you search sofa, it will grab the ads in the classifieds, it will catch the A-Z ads for sofas + it will haul in the threads where sofas are discussed in the forums... it will be a general site search with tremendous, earth shaking power.

Once VGER gets back from lunch (or wakes from his nap...) he has explained to me that he will put another search onto the Forums in the same position as the old search we pulled off the other day.

This search will grab only the forums and the specific section of the A-Z relevant to the search.

So if you search Furniture it will grab only a single link to furniture in the A-Z and all of the threads that have the word furniture in them.

This should be in place by morning. Hope this other search will be more useful.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by denisiel (134 days ago)

Excellent. Thanks for the fast response!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Ed (134 days ago)

Its quite exciting thinking about this... I'm having a hard time sleeping...

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Programmer (134 days ago)

The new search is in place on the front page of the forums.

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by Ed (134 days ago)

Yes.... yes.... I can see it http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/forums/

It works just like we expected it to... try typing in furniture - you get two results from the A-Z (Furniture Shops and Furniture Leasing) - the rest of the results from the forum topics.

It does not grab the results from the classifieds... yes... this is..... good.

(I am based in Hong Kong)