suggestions

Make a sticky in questions thread called "forum search" that suggests people try using google search with the qualifier site:bots4.net/forum in their query before asking a question.

As this shows, it works like a boss.

I like it. Good find DNM

Even better idea: setup a search box in the forums that adds the qualifier for you automatically.

I just wish I'd put more effort into forum urls/titles. I've been meaning to fix that for awhile.

For sure, figured this could be a quick fix until you got around to coding a search function :)

nice one dnm!

Dont you have minions @ google yet, Ed? It's been what? 3 weeks?

Okay, I'm working on adding this and I've thought of something. Just like you can do "site:bots4.net" to restrict the search to this domain, is there a way to say "url must include xxx" or something? I want to be able to restrict searches to subforums.

Use quotes around the subforum name.

Thanks, I actually found the inurl: operator:

site:bots4.net/forum inurl:forum/6 Hi all

I like this because I'm actually also rewriting the way titles are constructed as part of adding search functionality. Forum threads will now show be "(thread name) - bots4". Hopefully it doesn't take too long to be reindexed.

This page is neat btw.

Silly me, it's even easier than that:

site:bots4.net/forum/6 Hi all

I see. I thought you were asking for a way for people to search subforums themselves, in which case memorizing the number of each subforum wouldn't be ideal. But yes, that's the optimal way to do it if you're going to add a "Search this subforum" button.

+1 for better page titles.

Hopefully it doesn't take too long to be reindexed.

Probably don't have to tell you, but resubmitting your sitemap, if it has changed, CAN (not will) get your site reindexed faster.