We have reported this problem before - it is a “real one” - and have been told that they don’t have the dollars to fix it:
I’ve asked but cannot tell you how much they (Jim Robinson, et al and his volunteer crew at Free Republic) need to correct the programming search function that is linkedd to that key. Nor do I know what database search and sort (a PERL sub-routine?) process changed in the server network that runs Free Republic that
(1) now causes FR to run and load slower than in April and May
(2) caused the root problem that disabled this search function sometime in May
Sorting the threads by the tens of thousands of replies by “last changed” is a very useful, very important routine. I too miss it greatly. We may need to wait for the next fund-raiser. ?????
I never use that function ... but I’m a monthly donor, so it’s not my fault it doesn’t work.
It has nothing to do with dollars. John says he’s going to have to re-write that portion of the program.