Google Custom Search Bar Please!

It's no secret the built in search function of the site isn't the best. Some people know about the trick of typing "site:hammockforums.net" into Google, and then whatever they want to search for after to get better search results, but I'd presume most users aren't aware of this. Adding a Google Custom Search Bar to the site shouldn't be that difficult, and would be a great tool for all users! Here's the page about it. http://www.google.com/sitesearch/

I'm not too tech savvy when it comes to building webpages, so I don't know if this is easy, hard, impossible, or somewhere in between, but if it can be done, at the least, I'd sure be appreciative!

Also, for Google Chrome users, with the search bar added to the site, you can start typing "hammockforums.net" in the URL bar, and after a few characters when it recognizes the site, you should be able to hit tab, which will automatically jump to a custom search of the site in the same bar. Then type your search query, and viola, efficient HF searching goodness! (You can try this with Youtube.)

Thanks for listening! :D

That is pretty cool! I agree about the search...needs to be a little easier to find things. I hate asking other HF members a question only to find out I've missed a thread with my answer (I always search before asking).

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Originally Posted by ArcsandSparks

That is pretty cool! I agree about the search...needs to be a little easier to find things. I hate asking other HF members a question only to find out I've missed a thread with my answer (I always search before asking).

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Agreed! And sometimes you search, but it doesn't turn up the answer even if it is buried somewhere. Hopefully that would fix this!

wow I feel dumb now. I honestly gave up on the search button along time ago and just started pm'ing people with questions or googling things. but I never knew you could type that stuff in! dang I learn something everything day

Agreed, we are a little small to have our own appliance, but custom search would be a handy addition! I vote yea! :D

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Originally Posted by stefprez

It's no secret the built in search function of the site isn't the best. Some people know about the trick of typing "site:hammockforums.net" into Google, and then whatever they want to search for after to get better search results, but I'd presume most users aren't aware of this. Adding a Google Custom Search Bar to the site shouldn't be that difficult, and would be a great tool for all users! Here's the page about it. http://www.google.com/sitesearch/

I'm not too tech savvy when it comes to building webpages, so I don't know if this is easy, hard, impossible, or somewhere in between, but if it can be done, at the least, I'd sure be appreciative!

Also, for Google Chrome users, with the search bar added to the site, you can start typing "hammockforums.net" in the URL bar, and after a few characters when it recognizes the site, you should be able to hit tab, which will automatically jump to a custom search of the site in the same bar. Then type your search query, and viola, efficient HF searching goodness! (You can try this with Youtube.)

Thanks for listening! :D

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I vote for the Google search, but I also have Chrome. Thanks for the tip. :cool:

Any Mods have input on this? Curious to hear some "official" thoughts! :)

I find myself wondering about this more and more. Sure we can and often times do go to google and perform a site search to find what we are looking for. But it seems as if daily someone who is unaware of the limitations of the forums current built in search functions is asking for the answer to a question that they are unable to find using the current search and so one of us who have been around for a while explain to them how to do a proper google search for what they are looking for.

This could be cut down quite a lot with an updated google search function added to the forums. :cool:

I'd be all for it. I use the site:hammockforums.net search all the time, and nearly always find what I'm looking for. The limitations imposed by, frequency of occurrence (of a search term), and length of word by the built in search function leave a bit to be desired.

We'll look into it and get back to ya.

I think it costs $100/year or more depending on how much its used. I looked into it for work years ago but never went thru with it. It works great but I'm fine with just going to Google and using it the way described above.

Just a side note: as with any other forum, I always wondered how much new threads would decrease if everyone used the seach efficiently all the time. 25%? 50%?

For instance, how many "Sleeping bag as UQ?" or "Which tarp for my ____ hammock?" or "Calf ridge problem" threads have we had? I'm not making fun of anyone, heck, I'm guilty of one of these examples. But I don't necessarily see it as a problem either; it's nice to "refresh" some threads sometimes instead of just pasting a million links at a newbie asking a common question.

I guess it just comes down to a good balance of briefly answering the same questions and referencing a few "oldie but goodies" links. I've noticed Shug is very good at this, offering a quick answer and video to follow up.

Maybe just try updating your search engine. One thing I like about this site is that it isn't full of commercial advertisements.

We are a revision (or three) behind on the forum software. We'll discuss it amongst the mods.

We see the value, but it is a matter of time and priority. FYI: Customization of the forum code has a ripple effect of making it harder to upgrade in the future.

Again, great suggestion, we'll take it under advisement.

John

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Originally Posted by markr6

I think it costs $100/year or more depending on how much its used. I looked into it for work years ago but never went thru with it. It works great but I'm fine with just going to Google and using it the way described above.

Just a side note: as with any other forum, I always wondered how much new threads would decrease if everyone used the seach efficiently all the time. 25%? 50%?

For instance, how many "Sleeping bag as UQ?" or "Which tarp for my ____ hammock?" or "Calf ridge problem" threads have we had? I'm not making fun of anyone, heck, I'm guilty of one of these examples. But I don't necessarily see it as a problem either; it's nice to "refresh" some threads sometimes instead of just pasting a million links at a newbie asking a common question.

I guess it just comes down to a good balance of briefly answering the same questions and referencing a few "oldie but goodies" links. I've noticed Shug is very good at this, offering a quick answer and video to follow up.

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Good points, I wouldn't want the Mods to have to spend extra money just to add a search bar, and I also wouldn't want to see the forum activity decrease just because it was suddenly easier for people to search for the answer they are looking for.

I notice similar questions pop up frequently and I try to help with them as best I can, or point them towards a thread with all the information they need to decide on what the right answer is for them. Shug certainly has a great arsenal of Hammocking videos that answer many of our more frequently asked questions, and they do come in very handy. I've even pointed new people towards his Hammock newbie videos a time or two when people are obivously new and have no idea what they are doing.