How to use the Search Function

[assumeivan]

After sitting around for a while yesterday night..and debating with myself whether or not I should type this out, I figured SF is pretty much in dire need of a search sticky..

Here we are..let's start.

What is the search function?
The search function is a tool on Silverfish Longboarding used to search through the archives of threads (whether they be titles, posts, or through usernames) using a simple blank text box that allows you to type keywords in order to find common words, keywords such as: dervish, loaded, footbrake, coleman, etc..

How do I access the search function?
Easy peasy. If you're trying to access the search from the front page (home) of SF, you have two options.
1. Hover your cursor over the Forums tab, second to the left, a drop menu will appear, go down to "Search Forum" and click that sucker.
2. Hover your cursor over the Search tab, all the way to the right, a drop menu will appear once again, click "Search Forum."

Now, I'm going teach you the basics of using the search function. Basically all that crap under this photo is unncessary for a basic search. If you really think you need to go into deep specifics on a search, you can check out the portion under what is shown here, otherwise, eh.:



The image up above shows you the basic functions of the search. I'll be basing my explanations solely on those two search functions.

How to use the search:
Ok, say you want to search for a thread on dervish setups.

What you're going to do is "Search by Key Word", which is the box to the left.
Next, you'll click the drop-menu under the blank box and select "Search Titles Only." This function allows you to search keywords within thread TITLES or thread POSTS.

Let's say you search "dervish setups." Only one thread shows up, but this is where most of you give up.
The frequent users of SF know that the search function searches on very, very specific keywords, meaning searching "setups" and "setup" will bring up completely different results.
Instead of putting in "dervish setups," I pop in "dervish setup." First thread that pops up is this: http://www.silverfishlongboarding.co...=dervish+setup

This or that?
Bringing out the flamethrowers, let's say you can't decide between a Loaded Dervish or Vanguard.

Again, you'll be using the "Search for Keyword" function and selecting "Search Titles Only."

And, as easy as it is, instead of getting super specific and typing "Dervish or Vanguard" or "Vanguard VS Dervish," all you have to do is type the main keywords: dervish vanguard

Alas, two full pages of "Dervish vs. Vanguard" threads.

Searching for skaters around your area:
I live in the Los Angeles area.

What I'm going to do is use the same search functions as I stated above, keywords and titles, and I'm going to type in: los angeles

After doing this, a full page of old threads show up including topics on skate shops, downhill sessions, garage sessions all in the LA area. Post in one of these older threads and it'll be bumped back into the current batch of threads for all to see.

You can also try typing in your area code (626, 909, 323) and if you're lucky enough a thread will show up with skaters in your exact area.

Another option is this:
http://www.silverfishlongboarding.co....php?do=search

Searching by User Name:
Searching by user name allows you to pull up posts stated and threads started by individual users of the forum.

Let's say I want to see a thread I posted a couple months back.

All I'm going to do is choose "Find Threads Started by User," type in my name (assumeivan), and then press enter.

Here we'll find all the threads I've made as a member, going all the way back to my first thread (which was fairly stupid), yet still pulling up my most current thread.

What if I'm not sure what their username is?
Silverfish has this cool function that pulls up full usernames matching username keywords. You can use this if you're unsure about someones username.

Type in the first few letters of the person's username (or what you can remember) and WAIT.

Ex:
Let's say I want to find my friend who recently made an account on Silverfish, but I don't remember his name exactly (this is a real example, I forgot my friends username and I need to message him.)



What I did remember was that his username started with "jayp." I typed this in, waited like a second, and a drop-down menu showed up highlighting usernames that matched. All I need to do now is click the highlighted username and it'll replace my "jayp" with "jaypooner."

Select the "Find Posts by User" if you would like to see posts made by the user. You can also find every thread a user has posted in by using the "Search by Key Word" and then selecting the drop-down menu "Search Entire Posts" (both of which are pretty unspecific.)

Sticky:
If you see a thread that has the text "Sticky:" before it, it pretty much means it's an important thread. Stickies usually pertain to "How To's," a large longboard scene in a specific location, or great information on certain products.

Sticky threads are always on the very top of each forum.
Longboard Videos & Photos forum:


Searching the Front Page:
If you want to pull up an article previously on the forums Front Page, what you do is:
1. Hover your cursor over the "Search" tab.
2. Click "Search Content."

This offers the ability to read up on an interesting article you may have seen in the past.

I want to read up on the interview on Zak from Venom posted up a while back. I type "zak" into the search box and press enter.



I scroll down and the 4th article to show up is the one I'm looking for, "Zak Maytum Interview."

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That's pretty much all there is to it. This took me about an hour to type out and explain, so hopefully the new users (and even the 04-07's) learn something new about the search function offered on Silverfish. I myself am not a "search nazi," but hell, I figured this would help everyone out at least a tiny bit.

Now sticky me.

[Justin K]

i think this should be stickied

[pelucachris]

LOL

that looks like it took you a while to put together
+1 Sticky

[CL]

THIS right here is a quality contribution to Silverfish. Its a great tutorial on how to find exactly what your looking for. But for some reason, i think people will over look it, and still flood this forum with questions that have already been answered a thousand times. Nonetheless, i think it should be stickied too, even if it helps just a few people.

[2Long4Skate]

Lol who looks at stickies anymore?
Great tutorial, but will still be overlooked..

[MalakaiKingston]

Wow, dude this post gave me the heeby jeebies it was so well done.

Sticky like fresh asphalt.

[MalakaiKingston]

After sitting around for a while yesterday night..and debating with myself whether or not I should type this out, I figured SF is pretty much in dire need of a search sticky..

+1 Rep Up For Joo

[Wells]

HOWTO: Tell people to search.

Wrong:

SEARCH N00B!!!1!!ONE!!!!

Right:

Next time search first. What are the best wheels for sliding?

[Steve Ignorant]

I'm Steve Ignorant, and I approve of this thread.

[MalakaiKingston]

I'm Steve Ignorant, and I approve of this thread.

I'm Malakai Kingston, and I disapprove of your signature.

[Steve Ignorant]

I'm Malakai Kingston, and I disapprove of your signature.

My good reputation / post count ratio is superior, thereby trumping your administrative powers.

[MalakaiKingston]

My good reputation / post count ratio is superior, thereby trumping your administrative powers.

I just want to make sure you feel that way before I take any action.

I like sarcasm just as much as the next guy, don't test me.

[Dizi]

Excellent and well deserved sticky. Unfortunate that most of the offenders seem to "post first, read later."

[MalakaiKingston]

Excellent and well deserved sticky. Unfortunate that most of the offenders seem to "post first, read later."

Can you tell me what are the best wheels for sliding?

[enemy combatant]

My good reputation / post count ratio is superior, thereby trumping your administrative powers.

Trust me on this, they don't.

[Dizi]

Can you tell me what are the best wheels for sliding?

Sure, but you'll have to start a thread about it.

[enemy combatant]

How to use the search:
Ok, say you want to search for a thread on dervish setups.

For a Dervish, using search is good but it's easier to just turn on the New Post Feed.

[MalakaiKingston]

Sure, but you'll have to start a thread about it.

How do I start a thread?

[chandler95]

Well done

[HesThatGuy]

THANK YOU.

Finally.