Starting a Search
There is both a simple Search field (partnered by an Advanced search text link) in the collapsible top section and a Search option in the main menu.
While you can just type (and search for) any combination of characters, you should consider using quotes to make your search really work for you.
The simple search field located at the top of the screen will, when viewing topics filter search results to just that topic.
Quote Marks
Searching for Acoustic Neuroma Association will return any or all of these three words depending on the option selected, but enclosing the search string in double quote marks (ie: " Acoustic Neuroma Association") will return only the entire phrase.
Simple Search
To use the simple search, the basic syntax outlined above is all you really need to know. But you might also like to know that this tool searches the entire Forum for any or all of what you specify that's been posted. So, to take more control of your search, you should use the advanced search feature.
Advanced Search
Although the advanced search screen might initially seem a little intimidating, it's surprisingly straightforward when reduced to its basic components.
• Despite initial appearances, there are really three options for how to search, with Match all words and Match any words being available from the drop-down, and "Match as phrase" still being available.
• The default * in the by user field is essentially a wildcard matching any poster. Please note that, while you can replace this with any single username for a more specific search, it's not currently possible to search for posts by multiple users except as that single wildcard.
• Show results as messages returns the full message containing the search string (with a Reply option) instead of the usual linked excerpt, but will naturally result in much larger results pages which might be significant if you are searching for a popular word or phrase.
• Message age sets the minimum and maximum ages of posts to search.
• Choose a Category to search in provides you with another tool to narrow the scope of the search, with the default being 'all' (the whole Forum or, more properly, all the boards to which you have read access).
• The Search button not surprisingly sets the whole thing in motion, but hitting 'Enter' direct from any of the search fields is sometimes more convenient.
