(1) sometimes the FR PTB approve duplicate articles---particularly if its a compelling issue. Even the most dedicated FReeper might miss something important......so having a duplicate is an advantage.
(2) When searching titles, the best results are achieved using key words.....using as few words as possible in the search box.
Also, do a title search by one of the main words, not a whole title search, as you might transpose a letter or mis place a space. then it won’t show up.
And, while you’re at it, change the default “order by” from relevance to “post time.” I’ve never searched by relevance.
Or how about this: have the posting page do a search for the URL of the article you are posting and warning you that it already has a posting?
Embedding the title in keywords is definitely not the way to go.
The rules say “title search” and that is what should be done. Personally, I’d like to see an author search capability. It might help. That can currently be done if the author is entered as a keyword, e.g. marksteyn or vdh, but it requires consistent manual application and is often missed.
Keyword abuse is rampant and needs to be reined in.
Note also that syndicated columnists may have their article appear under a different title in each venue. Posting a cross-link comment helps tie these together.
Honest FR Policy ping. :)
I have made a few posts in the past complaining that the keyword search should not be the default option. The default should be a Title search.
Happens to me.
Another nice feature to have, would be to have a short/two minute edit function, after hitting post.
I have been a FReeper since the early 90s. I have done numerous searches, using key words from an article or headline I’d seen here on FR. I never EVER got one good reply. All I ever got from a search was the internet equivalent of a blank stare and “no habla englais”. So I gave up on that, long ago.
I agree.
I agree with the OP and another gripe I have is you type a word or two in the search window, then choose title from the pulldown, and the search words aew erased and replaced by *title.
You have to change the pull down to title first, then type your search words.
I agree 100%. But people don’t seem to search for duplicate threads anymore. Sometimes even when it’s blatantly obvious there’s the same thread already posted.
I try and do a title search on the single most significant word of a title.
I think you’re on to something.
First let me say;
I really appreciate Free Republic and Jim Robinson. I am thankful that the site is easy to load and can be used where I have a super slow connection.
The search function has never worked well for me.
It would be very nice to be able to edit your own posts or delete your own thread. Typo’s and word replacements with all the smart devices are really frustrating.
Search by title, order by date would be a wonderful change. I seem to recall a time before the current search box where it used to work that way. If it was changed for performance reasons, then going back may not be an option.
site:freerepublic.com search terms
works pretty well in google and bing. I've given up on FR's search function.
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It would be nice if everyone remembered the exact title of a post, even after days, weeks, or months.
My memory isn’t that good. I usually can remember a word or two (key words IMO)which were memorable. If I knew the title complete, I could go to google, eh?
Good suggestion. I’d also like to see some space between the spell-preview-post buttons and the word-wrap-on button immediately below (too easy to accidently click). And while we’re at it, how about a search between dates.