Difference between revisions of "Powerbase:Searching"

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{{SpinProfiles:Help}}
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{{Powerbase:Help}}
This page provides an overview of the search feature which can be used to find information (or an article) in the SpinProfiles site.  
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This page provides an overview of the search feature which can be used to find information (or an article) in the Powerbase site.  
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The ''search'' box is found on the left hand side of a page. Put the keyword for your search in the box. You now have two options.
 
The ''search'' box is found on the left hand side of a page. Put the keyword for your search in the box. You now have two options.
* '''Go''' - (or ''Enter'' on keyboard) will take you automatically to the article if it exists under the same title as the one you have entered. If the title does not yet exist, it will ask if you want to ''create this page'' (make sure to familiarise yourself with [[SpinProfiles:How to Start a Page|How to start a page]] and SpinProfiles [[SpinProfiles:Naming Conventions|naming conventions]] before creating a new page).  
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* '''Go''' - (or ''Enter'' on keyboard) will take you automatically to the article if it exists under the same title as the one you have entered. If the title does not yet exist, it will ask if you want to ''create this page'' (make sure to familiarise yourself with [[Powerbase:How to Start a Page|How to start a page]] and Powerbase [[Powerbase:Naming Conventions|naming conventions]] before creating a new page).  
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You will also see a list of ''matches'' from you're keyword.  
 
You will also see a list of ''matches'' from you're keyword.  
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* '''Search''' - will return a list of articles.
 
* '''Search''' - will return a list of articles.
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==Effective searching==
 
==Effective searching==
Here are few good tips and hints for using the SpinProfiles search feature effectively:
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Here are few good tips and hints for using the Powerbase search feature effectively:
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====Avoid short and common words====
 
====Avoid short and common words====
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If your search terms include a common "stop word" (such as "the", "one", "your", "more", "right", "while", "when", "who", "which",
 
If your search terms include a common "stop word" (such as "the", "one", "your", "more", "right", "while", "when", "who", "which",
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"such", "every", "about") it may give a large number of non-relevant results. The system cannot search for numbers.
 
"such", "every", "about") it may give a large number of non-relevant results. The system cannot search for numbers.
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====Words with special characters====
 
====Words with special characters====
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In a '''search''' for a word with a diaeresis, such as Sint Odiliënberg, it depends whether this ë is stored as one character or as "ë". In the first case one can simply search for Odilienberg (or Odiliënberg); in the second case it can only be found by searching for Odili, euml and/or nberg.
 
In a '''search''' for a word with a diaeresis, such as Sint Odiliënberg, it depends whether this ë is stored as one character or as "ë". In the first case one can simply search for Odilienberg (or Odiliënberg); in the second case it can only be found by searching for Odili, euml and/or nberg.
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====Words in single quotes====
 
====Words in single quotes====
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If a word appears in an article with single quotes, you can only find it if you search for the word with quotes. Since this is rarely desirable, it is better to use double quotes in articles for which this problem does not arise.  
 
If a word appears in an article with single quotes, you can only find it if you search for the word with quotes. Since this is rarely desirable, it is better to use double quotes in articles for which this problem does not arise.  
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An apostrophe is identical to a single quote, therefore the name Mu'ammar can be found only by searching for exactly that (and not otherwise). A word with ''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s'' is an exception in that it can be found also by searching for the word without the apostrophe and the s.
 
An apostrophe is identical to a single quote, therefore the name Mu'ammar can be found only by searching for exactly that (and not otherwise). A word with ''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s'' is an exception in that it can be found also by searching for the word without the apostrophe and the s.
  
==If you cannot find an appropriate page on Spinprofiles==
 
If there is no appropriate page on Spinprofiles, consider [[Spinprofiles:How to Start a Page|creating a page]].  Or consider adding what you were looking for to the [[Spinprofiles:Requested articles|Requested articles]] page.
 
  
[[Category:SpinProfiles Help]]
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==If you cannot find an appropriate page on Powerbase==
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If there is no appropriate page on Powerbase, consider [[Powerbase:How to Start a Page|creating a page]].  Or consider adding what you were looking for to the [[Powerbase:Requested articles|Requested articles]] page.
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[[Category:Powerbase Help]]

Revision as of 09:57, 7 July 2010

Help Guide

How do I do that?

Getting in touch

Information and resources for contributors

This page provides an overview of the search feature which can be used to find information (or an article) in the Powerbase site.


The search box is found on the left hand side of a page. Put the keyword for your search in the box. You now have two options.

  • Go - (or Enter on keyboard) will take you automatically to the article if it exists under the same title as the one you have entered. If the title does not yet exist, it will ask if you want to create this page (make sure to familiarise yourself with How to start a page and Powerbase naming conventions before creating a new page).


You will also see a list of matches from you're keyword.


  • Search - will return a list of articles.



Effective searching

Here are few good tips and hints for using the Powerbase search feature effectively:


Avoid short and common words

If your search terms include a common "stop word" (such as "the", "one", "your", "more", "right", "while", "when", "who", "which",

"such", "every", "about") it may give a large number of non-relevant results. The system cannot search for numbers.


Words with special characters

In a search for a word with a diaeresis, such as Sint Odiliënberg, it depends whether this ë is stored as one character or as "&euml;". In the first case one can simply search for Odilienberg (or Odiliënberg); in the second case it can only be found by searching for Odili, euml and/or nberg.


Words in single quotes

If a word appears in an article with single quotes, you can only find it if you search for the word with quotes. Since this is rarely desirable, it is better to use double quotes in articles for which this problem does not arise.


An apostrophe is identical to a single quote, therefore the name Mu'ammar can be found only by searching for exactly that (and not otherwise). A word with 's is an exception in that it can be found also by searching for the word without the apostrophe and the s.


If you cannot find an appropriate page on Powerbase

If there is no appropriate page on Powerbase, consider creating a page. Or consider adding what you were looking for to the Requested articles page.