A search on "code" produces a lot of hits on items that have nothing to do with my interests.

I can't restrict the search to certain categories because many coded materials can end up in odd categories.

It appears that AU searches both the title and the description.

If search were enhanced to provide the option of searching titles only then I could filter out a lot of listings that I have no interest in.

And I would like to see the additional capability of searching for text by prefix:

code* would hit on:

code
code-a-graph
coders

by suffix:

*code would hit on:

code
decode
encode

and embeded text:

*code* would hit on:

code
encoded
decode
decoders
decoded
 

I just had a run-in with Search, sent a message to AU support, and 5 minutes later figured out the problem. Doh!

I won two Club99 auctions, and I wanted to review the listings to check the payment terms. I copied the auction number from email, pasted it into the Item Number box, and started a search.
No results. Huh?!

Then I tried a bidder search with my email address. No results again. Ack!!

The problem? The default search settings are for Open Auctions - even when you search by item number! And the setting to change isn't obvious - it's labeled 'Auction Status', which could mean just about anything.

Solution - item number lookup should be split off from the rest of the search (like on eBay's search page). Item number lookup isn't really a search, anyway - it's a lookup. If I enter an item number, I want to see that auction, regardless of whether the auction is closed, open, or what-have-you.
Make the 'Auction Status' setting more obvious; perhaps change it from a pup-up menu to a scrolling box tall enough to show all the choices.
 

Both you comments point to well known weaknesses of our search engine. Our search does have some strengths, particularly in its ability to display varying info, but I agree these are definite points of weakness.

However, the worst weakness, IMHO is that we don't have a way to include the top bidder in the auction search results of closed auctions (when you remember to specify closed auctions).

I do expect that weakness to be addressed in some way in the next month or two at the latest. I'll have more on that innovation when we're closer to its introduction.

On the subject of search engines. I saw a brief demo of a radically different search engine when I was in CT. It is lightening fast and while I'm light on the specifics, (It was late in a long day) I remember being impressed. I know it had several search features but I don't remember if it addresses the specific issues that were brought up.

The point is that we're aware that our search is barely adequate and we're looking at ways to improve it and those ways may not only be the obvious (a direct fix to search) or innovative (why search when I have this:-).

neomax
 

Time for me to turn my acerbic observations away from eBay and over to your neck of the woods. Heheh.

I continue to have problems with searching AU for the types of items I am interested in.

Is AU going to implement a search title only capability soon?
 

You asked if we were going to be doing much improvement with our search engine, particularly being able to limit its search field to the main title.

First, you are right in that the search does go through both the title and the full description. Presumably you're looking at current items and that shouldn't be too bad. It does become a hassle though when looking through all items. (egad 1300 items come up with a search on "code" You might try ordering the results by seller or category to make it easier to peruse.

Frankly, I don't see any real likelihood that we'll be putting additional effort into the existing search engine.

Rather, I would expect us to come up with a new search engine, approach sometime in the future that eliminates the need for incremental improvements to this one.

There is no specific time period for this although if it drags on too long, the emphasis could shift back to improving the existing search.

neomax

My problem is that almost all of the hits I get when I do the search (and I presently only search current items) is that the word code is in the description and not the title.

In effect I am presented with a screen or screens of titles that for the most part have nothing to do with what I am actually searching for. I have to "search" through the titles in hopes of finding the needle in the haystack.

Now, as volume increases on AU, the present search facility will become more like eBay's search title and description. Onerous, tedious, exhausting and counter productive.

I never do searches on description in eBay.

AU is currently small enough volume wise that its search facility isn't totally unbearable. But if AU grows, it will become unbearable.

Please pass this on to the powers that be. AU needs a search by title only facility.
 

I'll not argue this one. I can't disagree.

neomax