Go Back  DVD Talk Forum > Feedback > Forum Feedback and Support
Reload this Page >

Why can't you search for words with less than four characters?

Forum Feedback and Support Post forum feedback and related problems, here.

Why can't you search for words with less than four characters?

Old 04-18-04, 11:57 PM
  #1  
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
 
Brent L's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Upstate, SC
Posts: 13,617
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Why can't you search for words with less than four characters?

I've always wondered this, after years of being on the net.

Why do so many message boards have it so that you can not search for words with less that four characters? I was going to do a search on the film Max, then realized that I couldn't do so, heh.
Old 04-19-04, 12:06 AM
  #2  
Moderator
 
Groucho's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 71,383
Received 122 Likes on 84 Posts
For three character words, use an *. So, in your case search for Max*.
Old 04-19-04, 11:25 AM
  #3  
DVD Talk Hero
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bartertown due to it having a better economy than where I really live.
Posts: 29,833
Received 18 Likes on 12 Posts
using the * is hit and miss though the times I've tried it
Old 04-20-04, 02:46 PM
  #4  
DVD Talk Legend
 
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 24,926
Received 255 Likes on 163 Posts
searches that wont work

MAD MAX DVD

NFL DVD

24 DVD

DVD ROM
Old 04-20-04, 03:20 PM
  #5  
Mod Emeritus
 
benedict's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Outside of the U.S.A.
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Re: Why can't you search for words with less than four characters?

<small>
Originally posted by BrentLumkin
Why do so many message boards have it so that you can not search for words with less that four characters?
</small>If you do a search for threads on this forum with the word "search" in the title you'd find one that includes <A HREF="http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=3617483#post3617483" target="_blank">this post</a> and an interesting follow-up from Indurain.
Old 04-20-04, 07:41 PM
  #6  
Keeper of the Comfy Chair
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by GuessWho
searches that wont work

MAD MAX DVD

NFL DVD

24 DVD

DVD ROM
I'm not all that certain that a search including the term "DVD" will limit your results all that much around here....
Old 04-20-04, 08:21 PM
  #7  
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
 
Blake's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Orange
Posts: 7,737
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It is a limitation of the MySQL database. There is nothing Geoff can do about it. Actually, quite ironically, doing a search about this exact topic would have answered your question.
Old 04-25-04, 03:03 PM
  #8  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,077
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by GuessWho
searches that wont work

MAD MAX DVD

NFL DVD

24 DVD

DVD ROM
Add Ken Park to that list
Old 04-26-04, 03:17 AM
  #9  
DVD Talk Hero
 
namja's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: In Transit, HQ
Posts: 25,048
Received 19 Likes on 10 Posts
Originally posted by Blake
Actually, quite ironically, doing a search about this exact topic would have answered your question.
Yeah, I did a search for search letters and limited it to the Feedback Forum for any date. Got plenty of threads about this topic.
Old 04-26-04, 11:58 AM
  #10  
DVD Talk Hero
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bartertown due to it having a better economy than where I really live.
Posts: 29,833
Received 18 Likes on 12 Posts
in what way? I'm fairly sure you can search for stuff under 4 letters long in mysql. I've seen other forums that appear to be using the same software that don't have a 4 letter limit

Originally posted by Blake
It is a limitation of the MySQL database. There is nothing Geoff can do about it. Actually, quite ironically, doing a search about this exact topic would have answered your question.
Old 05-20-04, 11:00 PM
  #11  
DVD Talk Legend
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC
Posts: 17,015
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by Blake
It is a limitation of the MySQL database. There is nothing Geoff can do about it.
Well, that's not quite right. MySQL is actually a fairly robust database for a free product, suitable for both large and small sites. Anyway, there's a setting under the admin control panel for setting the smallest word that is stored in the search index. The smaller the size, the larger the index.

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.