How Can I Find Anything at PreCentral?

milominderbinder · 11:25 AM

Here is how to find almost anything at PreCentral...

Say you want to find the "Preware" thread. So you click Search at the top menu and type "Preware". There are thousands of threads that mention "Preware" so that is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Here is the trick.
1. Click Search at the top menu but this time click Advanced Search.
2. We want a thread with "Preware" in the title so type "Preware" in as your KEYWORD.
3. Click the drop-down arrow just below and click "Search Titles Only" and click Search Now.

Now the "Preware" thread is near the top of the search results.

Advanced Search also lets you search for posts or threads by a certain user and in certain forums.

If anyone is having trouble finding something, please post it here so that others can help you.

- Craig

For more general tips like this, please see the PreCentral Getting Started Guide

MaxLOL · 12/18/2009, 02:40 PM

Good post

This is how I always search

ryleyinstl · 12/18/2009, 02:42 PM

I think, for the most part, you are preaching to the choir. However it seams that some people are genetically unable to click the search button.

dbdoinit · 12/18/2009, 02:50 PM

Thanx for this thread, but i don't use the search.
I already know everything.

danman_6 · 12/18/2009, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbd

Thanx for this thread, but i don't use the search.
I already know everything.

Yea, and i taught all i know to dbd, so were on the same boat..

<.<

>.>

JED-WEB-OS · 12/18/2009, 06:53 PM

How can I find a decent data plan on Verizon when the pre plus comes out?

milominderbinder · 12/18/2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by not-yet-pre

How can I find a decent data plan on Verizon when the pre plus comes out?

The search is good but not magical.

The guy you want for that wish is at the North Pole.

- Craig

MaxLOL · 12/18/2009, 09:38 PM

You can use google to search a site for you as well.

[instert search query here] site: [Precentral.net(for example]

**berdinkerdickle** · 12/18/2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxLOL

You can use google to search a site for you as well.

[instert search query here] site: [Precentral.net(for example]

That's the method I use for most forums.
http://www.google.com/advanced_searc...net/&hl=en&lr=

milominderbinder · 12/21/2009, 08:55 AM

I also use google to find that needle in a haystack here as well.

-Craig

rc46 · 12/21/2009, 09:02 AM

Google (search query site: precentral.net) works much better than vBulletin advanced search. Its also much quicker.

poonamt93 · 01/18/2010, 11:09 PM

A very nice article you have written.I appreciate the helpful information and will tell my friends!

freefire4629 · 01/26/2010, 12:05 AM

thanks for having this...but i think that most people already know how

the2ndflood · 03/05/2010, 09:56 PM

Yeah, finding threads on this site isn't too difficult. People use helpful Tags; unlike some other sites. I just hate that when we search, that we have to answer a question. I know why it's there, but it's still annoying. Helpful Sticky thread though!

rand.bennett · 06/04/2010, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milominderbinder

If anyone is having trouble finding something, please post it here so that others can help you.

My problem is I am trying to find out if there is a tweak, patch, or anything to move the launcher icon over to the left. I am left handed and my life is so rough when i need to move my finger that extra inch to hit the icon :P. Anyway, a search here for launcher, icon, left, ect... brings up waaaayy to many results, even with the fine tuning you suggested. Does anyone know where i can find this info, or if it even exists?

lakesu · 07/08/2010, 01:32 PM

This is how I always search ....

sketch42 · 07/08/2010, 01:39 PM

The way the search works is built into the code of vBulletin, and there are limited ways to optimize the searches of the database since you are dealing with a database size that grows bigger and bigger every day, with every new thread and post.

When you issue a search query by keyword the site goes through all the forums you seleceted looking for those keywords. With so many "useless" threads asking the same question in different forum parts, some answered and some not, the search function becomes useless.

The search by tags , as i understand it , was supposed to relieve some of the stress of these bad searches, however the Tag system is sooooo broken now that its worse.

The problem, IMHO, is allowing anyone to add a tag to a thread after its been created. If the thread creator where to be forced to add tags to his thread at creation this would solve alot. Combine that with the taking away users tag privelges and ability to add a solved title to the thread by mods and OP... and you have a better system IMHO...

just my sketch .42 cents

Workerb33 · 07/08/2010, 01:52 PM

@sketch

i would add to that the idea of the mods making major title changes to threads once they settle down. That way a thread called "help me" or "Palm is making me sooo mad..." can be changed to "question about which exercise app people like" or "I'm frustrated by the lack of voice-dialing, is there any word on adding it"...

I understand the need to leave those goofy titles in place when first posted, but changing them when the question is answered or postin gactivity has slowed down would make them more useful to those that follow in the OP's footsteps.

Then the default forum search could be changed to titles only, which would be a MAJOR win.

IMHO

Ps. there is another thread on this very topic that was started in the last day or two. Ironically, I couldn't find it to post a link in this thread...

sketch42 · 07/08/2010, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Workerb33

@sketch

i would add to that the idea of the mods making major title changes to threads once they settle down. That way a thread called "help me" or "Palm is making me sooo mad..." can be changed to "question about which exercise app people like" or "I'm frustrated by the lack of voice-dialing, is there any word on adding it"...

I understand the need to leave those goofy titles in place when first posted, but changing them when the question is answered or postin gactivity has slowed down would make them more useful to those that follow in the OP's footsteps.

Then the default forum search could be changed to titles only, which would be a MAJOR win.

IMHO

Ps. there is another thread on this very topic that was started in the last day or two. Ironically, I couldn't find it to post a link in this thread...

heres the thread, my post in this thread is a modified one from the Search thread but its the same

, the reason you couldnt find it is because its titled Precentral Search and well theres alot of posts with those words http://forums.precentral.net/treocen...al-search.html

milominderbinder · 07/08/2010, 02:52 PM

I use the advanced search techniques from the opening post all of the time and never have a problem finding anything.

- Craig

12/18/2009, 02:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
MaxLOL Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 650 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 91 Thanked 159 Times in 85 Posts	Good post This is how I always search
	Liked by

12/18/2009, 02:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
ryleyinstl Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Red Brick Momma Posts: 4,317 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 209 Thanked 1,263 Times in 822 Posts	I think, for the most part, you are preaching to the choir. However it seams that some people are genetically unable to click the search button.
	Liked by

12/18/2009, 02:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
dbdoinit Banned Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: ATL via NYC with EVO in TLL ••The Llama Llounge•• Posts: 3,215 Likes Received: 5 Thanks: 2,835 Thanked 2,144 Times in 1,548 Posts	Thanx for this thread, but i don't use the search. I already know everything.
	Liked by

12/18/2009, 06:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
JED-WEB-OS Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 1,174 Likes Received: 44 Thanks: 500 Thanked 213 Times in 163 Posts	How can I find a decent data plan on Verizon when the pre plus comes out?
	Liked by

12/18/2009, 09:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
MaxLOL Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 650 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 91 Thanked 159 Times in 85 Posts	You can use google to search a site for you as well. [instert search query here] site: [Precentral.net(for example]
	Liked by

12/21/2009, 08:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
milominderbinder Homebrew Developer Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: ↑ iPhone Black Launcher Theme Posts: 4,593 Likes Received: 117 Thanks: 2,535 Thanked 3,156 Times in 908 Posts	I also use google to find that needle in a haystack here as well. -Craig __________________ - Milo → Getting Started → Ringtones → Videos/Movies → Patches/Themes → Music Player(Remix) → Battery Life → Backup/Syncing → Great Signal-Airave → iPhone Theme → Forum Guidelines
	Liked by Thanked By: the2ndflood

12/21/2009, 09:02 AM	#11 (permalink)
rc46 Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,650 Likes Received: 1 Thanks: 186 Thanked 203 Times in 133 Posts	Google (search query site: precentral.net) works much better than vBulletin advanced search. Its also much quicker. __________________ Pilot 1000 -> Pilot 5000 ->Palm Pilot Professional -> HP 620LX -> TRG Pro -> Palm V -> Palm Vx -> Palm M505 -> Palm i705 -> Palm Tungsten\|T -> Samsung i500 -> Treo 600->Treo 650 -> Treo 600-> Treo 700p ->Centro ->Treo 800w + Redfly C8n -> Palm Pre -> HP Touchpad R.I.P Palm 1996-2011
	Liked by Thanked By: the2ndflood

01/18/2010, 11:09 PM	#12 (permalink)
poonamt93 Banned Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 9 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	A very nice article you have written.I appreciate the helpful information and will tell my friends!
	Liked by

01/26/2010, 12:05 AM	#13 (permalink)
freefire4629 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	thanks for having this...but i think that most people already know how
	Liked by

03/05/2010, 09:56 PM	#14 (permalink)
the2ndflood Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Murfreesboro Tennessee Posts: 805 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 513 Thanked 37 Times in 37 Posts	Yeah, finding threads on this site isn't too difficult. People use helpful Tags; unlike some other sites. I just hate that when we search, that we have to answer a question. I know why it's there, but it's still annoying. Helpful Sticky thread though!
	Liked by

07/08/2010, 01:32 PM	#16 (permalink)
lakesu Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	This is how I always search ....
	Liked by

07/08/2010, 01:39 PM	#17 (permalink)
sketch42 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: in the dark recesses of the earth, awaiting "The Rise of the L@@T" Posts: 3,991 Likes Received: 184 Thanks: 2,996 Thanked 1,967 Times in 1,402 Posts	The way the search works is built into the code of vBulletin, and there are limited ways to optimize the searches of the database since you are dealing with a database size that grows bigger and bigger every day, with every new thread and post. When you issue a search query by keyword the site goes through all the forums you seleceted looking for those keywords. With so many "useless" threads asking the same question in different forum parts, some answered and some not, the search function becomes useless. The search by tags , as i understand it , was supposed to relieve some of the stress of these bad searches, however the Tag system is sooooo broken now that its worse. The problem, IMHO, is allowing anyone to add a tag to a thread after its been created. If the thread creator where to be forced to add tags to his thread at creation this would solve alot. Combine that with the taking away users tag privelges and ability to add a solved title to the thread by mods and OP... and you have a better system IMHO... just my sketch .42 cents __________________ NEWBIES Check These Threads First WebOS FAQ • Export Contacts • Backup-Restore Patches/Apps • follow me on twitter • or Catch me at LOOT ATTN: If You like my Patches or Themes please feel free to DONATE
	Liked by Thanked By: Workerb33

07/08/2010, 01:52 PM	#18 (permalink)
Workerb33 Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 2,216 Likes Received: 2 Thanks: 454 Thanked 871 Times in 699 Posts	@sketch i would add to that the idea of the mods making major title changes to threads once they settle down. That way a thread called "help me" or "Palm is making me sooo mad..." can be changed to "question about which exercise app people like" or "I'm frustrated by the lack of voice-dialing, is there any word on adding it"... I understand the need to leave those goofy titles in place when first posted, but changing them when the question is answered or postin gactivity has slowed down would make them more useful to those that follow in the OP's footsteps. Then the default forum search could be changed to titles only, which would be a MAJOR win. IMHO Ps. there is another thread on this very topic that was started in the last day or two. Ironically, I couldn't find it to post a link in this thread... __________________ Run your ad here... reach thousands daily... ...Now accepting orders for my upcoming iHandle™. Reserve yours today!
	Liked by

07/08/2010, 02:52 PM	#20 (permalink)
milominderbinder Homebrew Developer Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: ↑ iPhone Black Launcher Theme Posts: 4,593 Likes Received: 117 Thanks: 2,535 Thanked 3,156 Times in 908 Posts	I use the advanced search techniques from the opening post all of the time and never have a problem finding anything. - Craig __________________ - Milo → Getting Started → Ringtones → Videos/Movies → Patches/Themes → Music Player(Remix) → Battery Life → Backup/Syncing → Great Signal-Airave → iPhone Theme → Forum Guidelines
	Liked by

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