Search function is useless

Reggie · 04-24-2020, 03:57 PM

I have no complaints about the game.. but the search function on this forum has been terrible since the beginning of time. Unless I am using it wrong it NEVER brings up anything close to what I am searching for. That is all.

CBeisbol · 04-24-2020, 03:59 PM

Correct

A search engine works much better

4maddux_cy's · 04-24-2020, 04:02 PM

What I hate is when you search for something and the answer appears to be in the middle of a thread that's 80 pages long. It needs to be able to take you just to the pages relevant. That isn't an issue on OOTP message boards though. I run into that complaint on many others as well. It's why I hate when boards enforce you have single threads for things that could be about different things.

CBeisbol · 04-24-2020, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4maddux_cy's

What I hate is when you search for something and the answer appears to be in the middle of a thread that's 80 pages long. It needs to be able to take you just to the pages relevant. That isn't an issue on OOTP message boards though. I run into that complaint on many others as well. It's why I hate when boards enforce you have single threads for things that could be about different things.

You can search threads or posts

jimmysthebestcop · 04-25-2020, 03:38 AM

The forum software is pretty old they are up to version 5.5.x this one is still on 3.8.x. Just to give you an idea how old version 3.x is well version 5.0 was released in 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!! However 5.5.x just was updated in January 2020.

I know the company stated several years ago 3 or 4 that version 3 was considered end of life.

That is pretty much why the forum is kind of awful compared to other forums especially if they are on newer software.

I like XenForo for paid forum software and there are some really nice implementations of phpbb 3.3 which is open source and free. vBulletin 5.5.x would still be an option as I believe that is still popular.

I'm not sure if there could be proper migration to 5.5.x since it has been so long. So that could be a big step.

Another reason why I wish the game was Steam only then you get steam forums and steam workshop. Workshop seems to be used a little more this year but it has so much untapped potential.

Cryomaniac · 04-25-2020, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmysthebestcop

Another reason why I wish the game was Steam only then you get steam forums and steam workshop. Workshop seems to be used a little more this year but it has so much untapped potential.

I disagree on that. Steam forums are awful.

micropterus58 · 04-25-2020, 02:28 PM

Steam forums are good for Steam users only. PC, Mac and Linux users won't go there. A common forum should be continued to be used. A Steam section could be made but people don't seem to post questions in the correct forum anyway.

jimmysthebestcop · 04-25-2020, 04:26 PM

Well upgrade the forum software to something that came out in the last decade then.

4maddux_cy's · 04-26-2020, 02:55 AM

The day I am forced to download steam to play OOTP is the last version I purchase.

Bunktown Ballers · 04-26-2020, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4maddux_cy's

the day i am forced to download steam to play ootp is the last version i purchase.

ditto....

jimmysthebestcop · 04-26-2020, 10:15 AM

no idea why you are all focusing on steam the issue is the forum software is well over a decade old. thats crazy.

this forum software is over a decade old. that is what we should be focusing on. we should be pushing for an upgrade. why are we stuck with 2005 software?

zappa1 · 04-26-2020, 11:07 AM

Maybe, Jimmy, it's because you are the one who brought it up.

"Another reason why I wish the game was Steam only...……………………...

jimmysthebestcop · 04-26-2020, 11:25 AM

Yeah one sentence from like 3 paragraphs describing how old the forum is and alternatives to the ancient forum software.

Those replies about steam only were 100% off topic. They didn't even acknowledge the creators topic. At least cyro and micro discussed forums in their post b

bailey · 04-26-2020, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmysthebestcop

Yeah one sentence from like 3 paragraphs describing how old the forum is and alternatives to the ancient forum software.

Those replies about steam only were 100% off topic. They didn't even acknowledge the creators topic. At least cyro and micro discussed forums in their post b

I don't see how anyone could disagree with updating forum software, but suggesting steam only as a solution is controversial and will derail the thread. My argument against steam is its aggravating eternal updates on startup and if you only play one game, steam is unwelcome bloatware.

Reggie · 04-26-2020, 12:59 PM

As long as we are on steam.. this was the first year I bought this with steam. My biggest problem with it is finding files on my computer when I want to mod something. As far as pinpointing something on the forum I am looking for, a search engine usually does the job.. just seems silly that I can't do that "in house".

04-24-2020, 03:57 PM	#1
Reggie Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 442	Search function is useless I have no complaints about the game.. but the search function on this forum has been terrible since the beginning of time. Unless I am using it wrong it NEVER brings up anything close to what I am searching for. That is all.

04-24-2020, 03:59 PM	#2
CBeisbol Banned Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Ban land in 3...2... Posts: 2,943	Correct A search engine works much better

04-24-2020, 04:02 PM	#3
4maddux_cy's All Star Starter Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,189	What I hate is when you search for something and the answer appears to be in the middle of a thread that's 80 pages long. It needs to be able to take you just to the pages relevant. That isn't an issue on OOTP message boards though. I run into that complaint on many others as well. It's why I hate when boards enforce you have single threads for things that could be about different things.

04-25-2020, 03:38 AM	#5
jimmysthebestcop Banned Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 1,727 Infractions: 0/2 (5)	The forum software is pretty old they are up to version 5.5.x this one is still on 3.8.x. Just to give you an idea how old version 3.x is well version 5.0 was released in 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!! However 5.5.x just was updated in January 2020. I know the company stated several years ago 3 or 4 that version 3 was considered end of life. That is pretty much why the forum is kind of awful compared to other forums especially if they are on newer software. I like XenForo for paid forum software and there are some really nice implementations of phpbb 3.3 which is open source and free. vBulletin 5.5.x would still be an option as I believe that is still popular. I'm not sure if there could be proper migration to 5.5.x since it has been so long. So that could be a big step. Another reason why I wish the game was Steam only then you get steam forums and steam workshop. Workshop seems to be used a little more this year but it has so much untapped potential.

04-25-2020, 02:28 PM	#7
micropterus58 All Star Starter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,239	Steam forums are good for Steam users only. PC, Mac and Linux users won't go there. A common forum should be continued to be used. A Steam section could be made but people don't seem to post questions in the correct forum anyway.

04-25-2020, 04:26 PM	#8
jimmysthebestcop Banned Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 1,727 Infractions: 0/2 (5)	Well upgrade the forum software to something that came out in the last decade then.

04-26-2020, 02:55 AM	#9
4maddux_cy's All Star Starter Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,189	The day I am forced to download steam to play OOTP is the last version I purchase.

04-26-2020, 10:15 AM	#11
jimmysthebestcop Banned Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 1,727 Infractions: 0/2 (5)	no idea why you are all focusing on steam the issue is the forum software is well over a decade old. thats crazy. this forum software is over a decade old. that is what we should be focusing on. we should be pushing for an upgrade. why are we stuck with 2005 software?

04-26-2020, 11:07 AM	#12
zappa1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2,145	Maybe, Jimmy, it's because you are the one who brought it up. "Another reason why I wish the game was Steam only...……………………...

04-26-2020, 11:25 AM	#13
jimmysthebestcop Banned Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 1,727 Infractions: 0/2 (5)	Yeah one sentence from like 3 paragraphs describing how old the forum is and alternatives to the ancient forum software. Those replies about steam only were 100% off topic. They didn't even acknowledge the creators topic. At least cyro and micro discussed forums in their post b

04-26-2020, 12:59 PM	#15
Reggie Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 442	As long as we are on steam.. this was the first year I bought this with steam. My biggest problem with it is finding files on my computer when I want to mod something. As far as pinpointing something on the forum I am looking for, a search engine usually does the job.. just seems silly that I can't do that "in house".