Searching the Forum

[Grumpy John]

How do I use the search function to search for a specific phrase, e.g. "boiled linseed oil". If I enter boiled linseed oil into the search window I will get entries containing boiled and linseed and oil when all I want is boiled linseed oil. I have read the FAQ, but it gives no information on how to do an "exact match" search. I've tried enclosing the phrase in quotes and using boiled+linseed+oil with no luck.

NOTE: I'm only using boiled linseed oil as an example.

[Big Shed]

In the search window enter "boiled linseed oil", include the quotation marks.

[DJ’s Timber]

You'll probably need to go off-site and use Google's advanced search for specific phrases.

Don't think you can do it using the Forum's search engine.

I used Google to search for Boiled Linseed Oil and got these results

[Grumpy John]

In the search window enter "boiled linseed oil", include the quotation marks.

Thanks for that Fred. Putting the phrase in quotes works, BUT you still get the individual words as well as the exact phrase coming up in red highlight.

You'll probably need to go off-site and use Google's advanced search for specific phrases.

Don't think you can do it using the Forum's search engine.

I used Google to search for Boiled Linseed Oil and got these results

Thanks DJ, Fred's answer did the trick. I didn't think it was working because the individual words still get highlighted in the text.

[DJ’s Timber]

Just been having a look at what the search result were, using the Forum's Search Engine and it appears that every search returned is for "boiled linseed oil" plus individual words in any of those threads are also highlighted, so Fred's answer is indeed correct as you said GJ.

Another thing of note too, is the the forum returned these results

Showing results 1 to 50 of 279
Search took 0.09 seconds

whilst Google returned these results

About 340 results (0.08 seconds)

[Grumpy John]

No, sorry. Still not what I'm looking for.
I was searching for any posts about the likelihood of setting up a chat room and this was one of the responses. 15 instances of the word chat, not once did chat room get a mention.

I'm probably being a bit () pedantic about this, but on quite a few occasions new members to the Forum have been chastised for asking questions before searching for the answer they require. It's all very well to tell someone to use the search engine, but the search facility provided is not the best.

Before I get howled down, I realise that the search feature is probably supplied with the software that is being used to drive the forum and is out of the control of Neil and the moderators who ALL do a wonderful job.

[DJ’s Timber]

No, sorry. Still not what I'm looking for.
I was searching for any posts about the likelihood of setting up a chat room and this was one of the responses. 15 instances of the word chat, not once did chat room get a mention.

Now that I know what you were searching for GJ, I'll think you'll find that this topic has rarely been discussed here.

Google only returned 32 results

[Grumpy John]

Now that I know what you were searching for GJ, I'll think you'll find that this topic has rarely been discussed here.

Google only returned 32 results

DJ, there were plenty of threads with chat room in them, but the one I highlighted contained only the word chat and, in my opinion should not have come up in the results. No big deal, just trying to get the best out of my searches .

[ubeaut]

Think you'll find that Google will bring up all the 2 word responses then the one word responses like chat and room (either or both) as well.

[Chris Parks]

If if want to be very specific then Google is your friend. Using the ADVANCED search function you can specify exactly what words and the form of those words. Near the bottom of the form there is a box to specify the domain that the search is for ie the url for this forum. You can then refine those results by searching using the "search within results" link at the the bottom of the results of your first attempt.

[chrisb691]

John,

In the standard google seach window type
"chat room" site:www.woodworkforums.com - 51 results all containg the phrase 'chat room'.