Forum search box

[Charles Kozierok]

Hi all,

I have implemented a Google search box, which appears to the right of the Google text ads at the top of the forums. You can use this to search either The PC Guide (main reference site, not forums) or the entire Web.

If you are going to "google something" anyway, use this box. You will see the same ads that are displayed when you normally go to Google's site. The difference is that if you see an ad that you find relevant and want to know more about, clicking on it via this box will result in my getting a cut of the ad revenue.

Feedback appreciated.

c

[Charles Kozierok]

Also.. which is better -- having the default to be searching the site as it is now, or the default to search the whole Web?

c

[Abbadon]

I'd prefer having it as is: with the default searching the pc guide.

I use Mozilla, and a lot of people have the google toolbar I think, so searching the web is sort of always there anyway.
Also, searching the site first never hurts the hitcounters, which might result in some revenue? ;)

[Charles Kozierok]

Hi Abbadon,

Searching the site doesn't really help revenue-wise but I agree that it makes sense. I am implementing this across the PC Guide site as well.

c

[Steve]

That's really great. I use google alot. Especially while here, doing HJT logs and looking for info. It'll get alot of use, I'm sure.

:)

[rahulkothari]

Is it possible to include a 3rd option to search forums ? Ofcourse, there is a search feature in the forums itself, but still...

uhh, wait, how about replacing the search pcguide option with search forums option ? ...coz, first timers may get easily confused when they type in a search query and find themselves on the PCguide.com site and not the forums.

[pave_spectre]

Very Cool. :cool: That will come in handy.

[Paleo Pete]

Very cool, I like it, first thing I noticed when I loaded the main page tonight. I hope a lot of people get a lot of use out of it.

[Charles Kozierok]

Thanks for the feedback folks.

Rahul -- unfortunately, there is no way to do that. It would have to be a separate box. I might be able to rig it up if there is a lot of interest but for now, just click the little "search" button below the Google box. :)

c

[Mark Miller]

As usual, very cool should come in handy
Mark:cool:

[rahulkothari]

okie ;)

[bassvax]

Sweet..that is all I can say. I am a big fan of Google.

[Donn]

Originally posted by ixl
Also.. which is better -- having the default to be searching the site as it is now, or the default to search the whole Web?

c

I'd go for having the Web as default, I always go to google first because thre is always new info on other sites, and some of the other forums are more active in their security and OS sections than this one is.

We already have a site-search button at the top of evey page.

Edit: and besides, going to the web first gives us an opportunity to graze the advert$, right?

:cool:

[jabarnutcase]

If you want to search the Web, the search box is only one mouse click away from changing it to that. (I realize the same could be said if that were the default).

HOWEVER...I like it on the PC Guide the way it is. (Sorry Donn) ;)

It's actually caused me to search and find some really cool stuff in the "Guide" (not the Forums mind you, the PC Guide itself), when I might not have thought about it immediately before.

Besides that, I have a "secret" Google search in my sig when I need it. :p

But the "PC Guide Search Box" is very cool! :cool:

As an example, just look at all the neat stuff I found here simply by typing in "DMA" (http://www.google.com/custom?sa=Search&domains=www.PCGuide.com&q=DMA&sitesearch=www.PCGuide.com&client=pub-7336295634598623&forid=1&channel=4794982004&ie=ISO-8859-1&oe=ISO-8859-1&cof=GALT%3A%23008000%3BGL%3A1%3BDIV%3A%23336699%3B VLC%3A663399%3BAH%3Acenter%3BBGC%3AFFFFFF%3BLBGC%3 AFFFFFF%3BALC%3A000000%3BLC%3A000000%3BT%3A0000FF% 3BGFNT%3A0000FF%3BGIMP%3A0000FF%3BLH%3A50%3BLW%3A1 40%3BL%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.pcguide.com%2Flogo.gif%3 BS%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.pcguide.com%2F%3BFORID%3A1%3 B&hl=en) (And all from our very own ixl) :D

(Edit) To spell your name right Donn...always forget the extra "n". :D

[Donn]

(Edit) To spell your name right Donn...always forget the extra "n".



Now, see, if I were the astronaut, Donn Eisley, or Steve Allen's prducer Donn Leonard, or Van Halen's producer, Donn Elder, see then I'd get some respect, but nooooooooooo--oooooh..........everybody has to forget my second 'n' because I'm not famous. I tell you, it's heartbreaking at times....:p

:rolleyes:


:cool:

[jabarnutcase]

Wow! You're right....I used that handy little PC Guide Google search Box above to search the Web for Donn (http://www.google.com/custom?sa=Search&domains=www.PCGuide.com&q=Donn&sitesearch=&client=pub-7336295634598623&forid=1&channel=4794982004&ie=ISO-8859-1&oe=ISO-8859-1&cof=GALT%3A%23008000%3BGL%3A1%3BDIV%3A%23336699%3B VLC%3A663399%3BAH%3Acenter%3BBGC%3AFFFFFF%3BLBGC%3 AFFFFFF%3BALC%3A000000%3BLC%3A000000%3BT%3A0000FF% 3BGFNT%3A0000FF%3BGIMP%3A0000FF%3BLH%3A50%3BLW%3A1 40%3BL%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.pcguide.com%2Flogo.gif%3 BS%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.pcguide.com%2F%3BFORID%3A1%3 B&hl=en), and I can't believe how many there are. :eek: :D

Don't feel bad Don. Darn it!!!! I mean Donn.....I rarely get any respect either.
You might say I'm the Rodney Dangerfield of Computer Nuts. :p

[Donn]

Just so we know....according to New Scientist Magazine, Feedback: Strange But True Tales From The World Of Science:


SEVERAL readers have written in to ask whether we realised that Google, in giving the answer 0.994698476 when asked to search for MDI/MDIX, is quite right, since MDI/MDIX in Roman numerals is 1501/1509 (Feedback, 29 May). Well, yes, we did realise, but we pass the information on in case there are any readers who didn't.

Meanwhile, thanks to Neil Golightly for pointing out another helpful Google calculation. How many readers know that one light year is 4.70279985 X 10 to-the-thirteenth-power furlongs? Just type "light year in furlongs" into Google if you don't believe us. :rolleyes:

[Vic 970]

hadn't even noticed it with it being on the right it is outside of my screen area therefore I have to scroll to see it, which I dont have to do for the posts.

if that's the same foe everybody (or many) I suggest that it would be better on the left so that it is always visible.