Updating The Way Searching The AnswerBank Works

[AB Editor]

This evening The AnswerBank will change how the site's search bar will work. Or more appropriately, who can use it.

Last weekend we experienced especially high traffic from anonymous visitors using the search box. Anyone around on Sunday night may have seen the site "wobble" briefly.

We feel the impact these anonymous visits had on the overall enjoyment of the site for regular, loyal users like yourself was unacceptable.

We've decided to, once the upgrade is in place, hide the search box from all visitors who are not logged in. This should see us avoid issues like those experienced last weekend.

Thanks for your time,

AB Editor

[Mamyalynne]

Sounds very sensible to me, good stuff.

[whiskeryron]

Hi Ed,

So if you are hiding it how will we find it ? Ron.

[B00]

won't be hidden Ron, as long as you're logged in, and seeing as you can post, you're obviously already logged in ;-)

[gen2]

So that's what it was. I thought my wheels needed balancing!

[B00]

And, incidentally...

I like a good wobble :-)

[grasscarp]

why did the search box lose the site and non site options?

[AB Editor]

"why did the search box lose the site and non site options?"

Because it's now all in there on various tabs - you can search both at once!

[albaqwerty]

I like the way you look after us Ab Editor :)

[tamborine]

bbbut, my fans wont find me :(

[Davethedog]

Sounds very reasonable to me as well.

[boxtops]

That's a good idea, Ed - if people search using Google, etc., they will come up with an AB thread anyway, so they then shouldn't need to search inside as well. Let us know if it looks better, your end, in due course!

[Indy-trier]

Whilst this is a good idea in the main it would be beneficial to newcomers exploring the site to have some kind of explanation re the missing search box - eg the box still in evidence but giving a message to non-members attempting to use it to the effect that they could access it by joining the site. It was only by seeing how useful your site could be that I joined and grew to love it! If I had been unaware that a search facility existed I probably wouldn't have bothered to join.
Yours is a great site. Keep it up.

[jstjohn]

Seems sensible

[Laylagirl]

I definitely think this is the way forward, particularly on a Sunday when the 'crosswords' are being searched the site does slow up considerably.

[mariong]

I was beginning to think something else was going wrong with my PC.
Is there some way we can stop some people asking one question at a time instead of putting it all on in the one posting.
Keep up the good work you all do. It is trying to get the brain back in gear after the holidays. (I think myself it is "OLD AGE")

[alzheimer]

Sounds like a splendid idea. I don't often pop in for help but did last Sunday oddly enough and to say that is was slow would have been an understatement!
Keep up the good work.....the older I get - the more I find the grey cells reluctant to function and it IS good to know that AB will always help me out!!

[boxtops]

When I joined the site, whether or not there was a search facility didn't cross my mind - it didn't influence my decision to join in, at all.

[murraymints]

I thought it was my pc being ultra slow....if it helps then yup...

[marray]

you are so good at spotting our problems before we mention them.... thanks

[jno]

perhaps the people were using the search box to hunt for nice people only.