Do you use the Search box at the top or the Advanced Search page? If you are not getting the results you want then you may need to tell the script what to look for as described here:
https://www.bordeglobal.com/foruminv/index....showtopic=10410
I do have to say that the times I have unintentionally started topics that are similar to existing threads, I have done a quick search with general terms, and didn't find it. That is not to say that the search tool is ineffective, but if it suggested more possibilities based on keywords, it would help avoid the duplicate threads mess.
I agree with howe6079 on this, and find that some threads are not displayed when searches are requested, and it has caused me to inadvertantly create threads, only to get a rather terse message from admin stating that I need to search before starting, and not waste time. As this happened early on I am now reluctant to start new threads and rely on trawling through the hot topics to stimulate my brain.
A search that showed near miss results would be fantastic.
MI
Are the both of you merely using the Search box at the top of every page, which just finds quick results or are you using the Advanced Search Page and the guidelines therein to Search for keywords?
The whole reason I know the Topic exists is because I conduct a Search and find it using this method. There is of course also the FAQ Board which is rarely used and gives answers to all of these things: How to Search.
Lastly, when the Advanced Search page returns results you will find that there maybe more than one page of offerings, it is important to look through the second or third pages too. Ensure you select the right fields to narrow your search. Again, all these things are explained in the link I posted above.
Honestly, until this thread was started, I did not know that the advanced search link available on the right side of the page was any different from the search box at top left. I doubt I am alone in this. Perhaps in the future, instead of having a search link between "help" and "members," a link that says (Advanced Search) could be placed right beside the search box. Honestly, if I'm looking to search, my eyes will be attracted first to a search box. At least the advanced search should be labeled "Advanced Search" or something like that, because if the idea of an advanced search is not readily apparent, most users will not investigate, assuming that there is only one type of search available.
It is a good suggestion, but is usually based on the Skin you are using as adding in the word 'Advanced' is very long. The normal Search link is a default of the Community, the Search Box was only entered in some months ago actually. All links that automatically highlight the word 'Search' also points to the Advanced Search page. However, since this seems to be a common problem I will work on it.
UPDATE: To show you we aim to please... we have added 'Advanced Search' under the Search Box to the top in ALL Skins.