Change to default search on main Forum page

[Mandolin Cafe]

Just made a change to search wanted to make everyone aware of. Can't really test without it being live so no idea if it'll remain, but it's likely. It has literally been live about 3 minutes.

Default search results have never been a favorite or worked particularly well, I get that, and agree. Advanced Search features *if used correctly* are quite good--my opinion. I'll assume few have even attempted or are interested in learning how the Advanced search works, don't anticipate that changing, and the Advanced Search features will remain intact.

So the default search on the main Forum page takes as it stands right now delivers Google results pointing back to mandolincafe.com. I routinely use Google to search for things I can't find on sites like amazon.com, CNN, etc. So even sites with hundreds of world class programmers can't match Google, so expecting forum software to equate a Google search was never something that should have taken hold, but it's the internet, so it did.

So if you're reading this you should see the default search box above and to the right as it has always been, except now your results will be driven by Google.

That's it. Try it out, see what you think. You're welcome, Mike Edgerton.

[Mandolin Cafe]

And I now see it's leaving a little bit of buggy doodoo at the top of the page. I'll look into that. EDIT: fixed.

[journeybear]

Aha. I noticed this just a few minutes ago, searching for an old thread. Recognized it as MikeE's preferred method. Worked just fine. Thanks for tirelessly working to improve this already great site.

[mandocrucian]

Definitely a HUGE improvement for finding the specific kind of info you are looking for quickly instead of hours (and hours) of hit-or-miss searching!

[Kevin Winn]

Just gave it a quick run and it seems to be working nicely. Only suggestion I would have is to open the results in a new tab.

Thanks for all your efforts, Scott!

[mandocrucian]

Just gave it a quick run and it seems to be working nicely. Only suggestion I would have is to open the results in a new tab.

Thanks for all your efforts, Scott!

Holding the shift button down while you click on the search button, or any link, opens the result in a new tab!

NH

[Mandolin Cafe]

Just gave it a quick run and it seems to be working nicely. Only suggestion I would have is to open the results in a new tab.

Thanks for all your efforts, Scott!

Never been a subscriber or fan of new tab actions, pop-ups or new windows. That can be invasive to some users and there are workarounds.

[Kevin Winn]

Fair enough. Thanks again for the improvements!

[Jcdraayer]

This is great! I traditionally just went to Google to search for articles on the Cafe anyways, so this greatly streamlines the experience for me.

[Drew Egerton]

I like it!

[MikeEdgerton]

... You're welcome, Mike Edgerton.

My secret is out.

I just ran my favorite test search to find the picture of Monroe playing a guitar. It worked like a charm.

Nice work.