Don't know whether anything can be done or if its a "carved in stone" vBulletin thing, but would it be possible to decrease the minimum word length in search? Someone is asking for info about Pal Mickey. I know it's been discussed at length on these boards, so I went to do a search, and "Pal Mickey" would seem like a reasonable thing to search for. However, because the minimum word length is four letters, it refuses to accept "pal". No search for me.

I tried to trick it by using "pal*", but that didn't work. Still no search for me.

Thanks.

While I know it IS possible to do with vBulletin it also greatly increased the size of the search database to have anything less than 4 letters searchable. I'm not sure if the server can handle the extra load or not, that is something the MP staff would have to answer.

Not sure what a workable solution would be...

The minimum and maximum searchable word lengths are configurable. We currently have them set to 4 and 20, respectively. Going lower than 4 will add pretty significantly to the index database--all the three-letter words currently excluded will now be indexed.

I'm going to defer to Tony on the question of whether our server can handle the additional load.

On the specific subject with which you're having trouble, the search terms "Mickey belt clip" return three threads (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=291717&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending), all about Pal Mickey.

Thanks for the links, Andrew. I've re-posted the info on the appropriate thread.

I certainly understand the issues about server load. Didn't occur to me to look up the words you said.

Is it possible to work it so that searches with 3-letter words can only search thread titles (rather than searching entire posts)?

I've tried to search for 3 letter words a number of times only to be reminded that - I can't do that. Never did find what I was looking for.

If it's possible - it would be very helpful.

We are working on a solution that I hope to have in place in the next few weeks. If anyone has a list of 3-letter words they think are relevant for searching, please pass them along to me.

Tony

Originally posted by Tony
If anyone has a list of 3-letter words they think are relevant for searching, please pass them along to me.

Not necessarily relevant for all searches - but here's a scrabble list of the 3 letter words:

http://www.yak.net/kablooey/scrabble/3letterwords.html

But which would be relevant for Pad searches?

Adrienne

Hmm...what an intersting question! How many Disney related 3 letter words can we come up with? Just glancing around the boards made me notice these:

A few acronyms jump to mind:

WDW
DLR
HMH
DCA
ToT or HTH
WED
WDI

Pan (as in Peter)
hub
Roy

How about some normal words:

cat
dog
toy
pet
new

Perhaps month abbreviations, like Jan, Feb, Mar, etc?

I'm sure there's a million more.

Why not make a list of the words you DON'T want included? Might be eaiser that way. ;)

I've got two: Car and LAX (as in "Car rental LAX" ;))

Adrienne

Originally posted by Tony
We are working on a solution that I hope to have in place in the next few weeks. If anyone has a list of 3-letter words they think are relevant for searching, please pass them along to me.

Tony

Since Pal Mickey will probably elicit more conversations in the future, I'd definitely suggest "pal". Thanks.

To the acronym list:

SAC
GAC
SAP
TAG
DTD
GCH
DLH
PPH


Big (Thunder)
Its (Small World)
Mad (Tea Party)
Tea (Party)

Non-Disney:

Mac (computer)
Toy
Gap
SNA (John Wayne Airport)
Ana (Santa Ana aka John Wayne)

OK, here we go:
[deep inhale]

DVC
OKW
BWV
BCV
WLV/VWL
SSR (opens soon)
POR
CBR
CSR
YCR
BCR
BWR/BWI
ASM
AKL
POP/PCR

PAP
UPH
PHP

SSE
UoE
JII
TLS
ToT
Hat
HoP
CBJ
Ray
CoP
USA

IoA

[pant gasp pant]

That's a start.... ;)

Originally posted by HB Tigger Fan
Big (Thunder)
Its (Small World) I was going to mention ones like these but I figure if you put "thunder mountain" or "BTMRR" you'll get all the results anyway. "Mad" and "tea" are good ones.

Speaking of which - add in BTM.

Mark - I'm sure all those are WDW ones, as they are totally unfamiliar to me! :)

Originally posted by Cadaverous Pallor
Mark - I'm sure all those are WDW ones, as they are totally unfamiliar to me! :)

Yep. First group are resorts, then ticket options, then ride abbreviations, then (set off by itself, lest it contaminate the others) Islands of Adventure (Universal).

Though that reminds me:

Sea

Originally posted by Cadaverous Pallor
[B]I was going to mention ones like these but I figure if you put "thunder mountain" or "BTMRR" you'll get all the results anyway. "Mad" and "tea" are good ones.[B]

I figured the same as you, but then I remembered that if you enter a 3 letter word at all you get back the results that 3 letters aren't enough.

I have two more:

TDA
M&F

Another one

web