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Topic: Search results order "relevant" vs. "recent" (Read 1011 times) previous topic - next topic
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Search results order "relevant" vs. "recent"
Currently the search function is set to show "most relevant results" first. Here - and everywhere else where I see such a setting - I always wonder how the software or anybody else but me can know what's relevant for me. Only I know what's relevant for me, and pretty much always a newer search result is more interesting than an older result.

Can the default please be changed to "most recent results" first?

I think that would make more sense. Thanks.

Klaus
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Search order "relevant" vs. "recent"
Reply #1 –
"Can the default please be changed to 'most recent results' first?"

I'd like to see this as the default, or at least an option. (If it is already an option, please let me know.) I've found the search function to be less than useful, because it brings up many outdated posts that are no longer relevant.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Search order "relevant" vs. "recent"
Reply #2 –
Quote from: Klaus  - 
Currently the search function is set to show "most relevant results" first. Here - and everywhere else where I see such a setting - I always wonder how the software or anybody else but me can know what's relevant for me. Only I know what's relevant for me, and pretty much always a newer search result is more interesting than an older result.

Can the default please be changed to "most recent results" first?

I think that would make more sense. Thanks.

Klaus
Klaus, it's a dropdown menu and you can select one of 5 parameters including "most recents first". Also, Andy, you can choose the search date range thus eliminating older, less relevant posts. This is the search function under the "Community" dropdown menu on the home page.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
 
Re: Search order "relevant" vs. "recent"
Reply #3 –
Quote from: Chris Horst  - 
Klaus, it's a dropdown menu and you can select one of 5 parameters including "most recents first". Also, Andy, you can choose the search date range thus eliminating older, less relevant posts. This is the search function under the "Community" dropdown menu on the home page.

Chris,

I know about the dropdown menu. I was asking to change the default for results from "most relevant"  to "most recent" as that makes much more sense. To have "most relevant" as the default for results is here (and elsewhere) nonsensical - no software knows what's "most relevant" for anybody, and I dare to say that for almost everyone in almost every case the most recent results are also most relevant (at least as a starting point).

Klaus
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Search order "relevant" vs. "recent"
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Chris Horst  - 
you can choose the search date range thus eliminating older, less relevant posts. This is the search function under the "Community" dropdown menu on the home page.

I use the date range often to find old postings. A problem I have noticed in many older forums is how the search function has become less useful every year as more postings are added.
It doesn't seem to work here but on other forums searching Google, and adding the name of the forum to the search, can often bring up better results than using a forum's search engine.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Search results order "relevant" vs. "recent"
Reply #5 –
I let it default to most relevant (typically does something like tries to match more of the words you put in if you put in several).  But I change the date range to the last year or two.  That usually finds me what I am looking for in one of the top10 posts or so.
Jane
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: Search results order "relevant" vs. "recent"
Reply #6 –
"It doesn't seem to work here but on other forums searching Google, and adding the name of the forum to the search, can often bring up better results than using a forum's search engine."

Larry makes a great point.  Often, careful phrasing, or a 'one word hint' within, or added to a search term can make a big difference in the search results.  This is true generally with Internet browsers, and within the LDOF in my experience. 

I think Klaus has a valid point.  When I'm looking at online reviews\feedback for a product I'm interested in, or when I search within the LDOF for information or guidance, I prefer more contemporary feedback, so 'most recent' as the default seems very reasonable to me. 

Bill
Bill
2003 -- 23' FL
Re: Search results order "relevant" vs. "recent"
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Klaus  - 
Chris,

I know about the dropdown menu. I was asking to change the default for results from "most relevant"  to "most recent" as that makes much more sense. To have "most relevant" as the default for results is here (and elsewhere) nonsensical - no software knows what's "most relevant" for anybody, and I dare to say that for almost everyone in almost every case the most recent results are also most relevant (at least as a starting point).

Klaus
Quote from: Klaus  - 
Chris,

I know about the dropdown menu. I was asking to change the default for results from "most relevant"  to "most recent" as that makes much more sense. To have "most relevant" as the default for results is here (and elsewhere) nonsensical - no software knows what's "most relevant" for anybody, and I dare to say that for almost everyone in almost every case the most recent results are also most relevant (at least as a starting point).

Klaus
Both opinions have been suggested, and since there are options, it will stay as is for now. Thank you for your suggestion.
Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Search results order "relevant" vs. "recent"
Reply #8 –
Thanks to Chris and others for pointing out what I should have known: there are options that will do what I want. :-)
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"