[ThomasC]

Many threads have been locked because they were duplicates, but a lot of the posters have said something like this: "I tried searching for it for it but it didn't come up." When I do the slowest search, I found similar threads, so it appears to me that they're all using the default search method, "Fast Search," which only searches threads updated in the last 24 hours. Would putting the default on the "Slowest Search" method put too much strain on the servers?

[Parker Clack]

Thomas:

In short yes it would. The reason that the various search options were implemented in the first place was because of the load on the server. People just need to take the time to use the various levels of search when they search for something.

Parker

[Michael Reuben]

"Fast search" goes back further than 24 hours. But I agree that it's better for more recent threads.

The search speed is only one of the problems. Most people who say they looked and didn't find anything don't specify what they searched for and how. The search engine that comes with vBulletin isn't all that sophisticated, and it requires a little more strategic analysis in formulating a search request than a top-of-the-line search engine like Google.

A lot of people would find what they want if they'd use the option to search only titles of threads. When you do that, you can set the search speed to the slowest without putting a major drag on the server (or waiting forever for the results). Most of my searches are limited to thread titles, and that's how I find most of the threads that I point people to when closing a duplicate.

M.