Searching subsim- alternative method

swdw · 11-05-2007, 07:44 AM

I know there are those who already know this, so forgive me if this is old news for you. But for those who don't-

Ever get frustrated with your search results on subsim? Because you are basically using a database query engine, it's difficult to narrow things down.

So here's an alternative:

Go to Google
Click on advanced search.
In here you can tell google to only search subsim. Here's a pic

You have lots of options for entering terms you are searching for.

I've used this and it even returns results from the archives!

If you get too many results, go to the bottom of the page, and click on the Search within results link. You can use this feature several times in a row to keep narrowing your results.

Anyway- there's your alternative when the site search won't seem to give you what you need.

Good hunting... err I mean searching

SteamWake · 11-05-2007, 08:58 AM

Glad that works out for you and I hope it helps others.

You do know that subsim has an advanced search function as well right ?

It has served me pretty well so far.

swdw · 04-19-2008, 07:31 AM

Was linking to this and made me realize I should explain why I posted this.

Steamwake is correct about the advanced version and the first method I use is going to the advanced search. However, the engine behind the search is only moderately effective.

I actually did a couple of tests where I started looking for some rather obscure stuff and tried the advanced search and the google search. Google actually returned better results. The search withn results function is priceless.

Probably 9 out of 10 times I can find stuff using the built in advanced search, but then there's that one time that no combination of terms and parameters gives an adequate result. In those cases, google has come through for me.

I posted this because it's nice to have another alternative.

Neal can control many things with the forum software, but the how database search function utilizes submitted terms aren't one of them. That's built into the forum software.

SO if you hit a wall with the built in search, give this a try.

Platapus · 04-19-2008, 09:49 AM

Excellent tip. Anything that makes finding all the great information on this site easier is a good thing

EnsignCrow · 04-19-2008, 11:28 AM

00 Google Advanced Search

Thanks, so then the above is how I bookmarked it into Firefox: alphabetizing puts it at top of list...

Sailor Steve · 04-19-2008, 12:47 PM

Excellent find!

I'll remember that one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteamWake

Glad that works out for you and I hope it helps others.

You do know that subsim has an advanced search function as well right ?

It has served me pretty well so far.

Advanced Search still doesn't cover three-letter words, which makes it pretty useless to me so far. Also, I've lost count of the times it came back with "No results found", when I knew what I was looking for, just not where. But five or six more tries sometimes got it.

11-05-2007, 07:44 AM	#1
swdw Grey Wolf Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 878 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Searching subsim- alternative method I know there are those who already know this, so forgive me if this is old news for you. But for those who don't- Ever get frustrated with your search results on subsim? Because you are basically using a database query engine, it's difficult to narrow things down. So here's an alternative: Go to Google Click on advanced search. In here you can tell google to only search subsim. Here's a pic You have lots of options for entering terms you are searching for. I've used this and it even returns results from the archives! If you get too many results, go to the bottom of the page, and click on the Search within results link. You can use this feature several times in a row to keep narrowing your results. Anyway- there's your alternative when the site search won't seem to give you what you need. Good hunting... err I mean searching __________________ "There are only two types of ships- submarines...... and targets" Unknown "you wouldn't catch me on a ship that deliberately sinks itself"- comment to me from a surface sailor. System: AMD 64 x2 6000+ \| 4GB DDR2 800 \| ABit AN52 MB \| SATA 300 320GB HD x2 ATi HD3870 512MB PCI-e \| WinXP home SP3 32 bit

04-19-2008, 07:31 AM	#3
swdw Grey Wolf Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 878 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Was linking to this and made me realize I should explain why I posted this. Steamwake is correct about the advanced version and the first method I use is going to the advanced search. However, the engine behind the search is only moderately effective. I actually did a couple of tests where I started looking for some rather obscure stuff and tried the advanced search and the google search. Google actually returned better results. The search withn results function is priceless. Probably 9 out of 10 times I can find stuff using the built in advanced search, but then there's that one time that no combination of terms and parameters gives an adequate result. In those cases, google has come through for me. I posted this because it's nice to have another alternative. Neal can control many things with the forum software, but the how database search function utilizes submitted terms aren't one of them. That's built into the forum software. SO if you hit a wall with the built in search, give this a try. __________________ "There are only two types of ships- submarines...... and targets" Unknown "you wouldn't catch me on a ship that deliberately sinks itself"- comment to me from a surface sailor. System: AMD 64 x2 6000+ \| 4GB DDR2 800 \| ABit AN52 MB \| SATA 300 320GB HD x2 ATi HD3870 512MB PCI-e \| WinXP home SP3 32 bit Last edited by swdw; 04-19-2008 at 11:11 AM.

04-19-2008, 09:49 AM	#4
Platapus Rear Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 11,165 Downloads: 54 Uploads: 0	Excellent tip. Anything that makes finding all the great information on this site easier is a good thing __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

04-19-2008, 11:28 AM	#5
EnsignCrow Swabbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 14 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	00 Google Advanced Search Thanks, so then the above is how I bookmarked it into Firefox: alphabetizing puts it at top of list... __________________ Crow!

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11-05-2007, 08:58 AM	#2
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,953 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Glad that works out for you and I hope it helps others. You do know that subsim has an advanced search function as well right ? It has served me pretty well so far.