Multi-Source Search Engine Anyone?

General tech support questions and answers, for technical questions about the Foodclub system. Useful resource for new users to Foodclub, both to search for answered questions and ask new ones of experienced users.

I need a Multi-Source Search Engine

not interested
0
No votes
might use it
2
13%
yes, I need this
1
7%
KILLER FEATURE!
12
80%
 
Total votes : 15

Multi-Source Search Engine Anyone?

Postby christiancoop » Mon Jan 20, 2014 2:54 pm

The search engine within each Source is great. Members are able to find items quickly.
However, once you get many many sources activated members are often confused as to which Source to use to buy a particular product.
A Multi-Source or Global search engine is then needed. The user would type in "organic tomatoes" and get hits from all the Sources they have access to (obeying village rules, etc). Clicking on a hit would bring them to that source.
This would be wonderful for comparing prices across sources as well! :D

Vote in the poll if you are interested. Not sure if this is even possible, but I thought I would dream a little! :lol:
christiancoop
 
Posts: 107
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Re: Multi-Source Search Engine Anyone?

Postby support » Mon Jan 20, 2014 11:14 pm

Yes, it's possible, and has been on the to-do list for a while- several years now. The problem is that it's rather a large new feature, considering I would also want to add fulltext search capability (making search more like google, less strict about containing exact words), and unifying the Splits and Order into one interface.

Some clubs have said they like the existing separation by source, so the "unified" view would be optional. Also, every club is used to the current way, so I couldn't just force thousands of users into a new way of doing things -- it would have to be a choice made by each club.

The unified view would not just allow you to search, but browse by category, with the vendor name itself as the top-level category (by default). You could choose to browse by other things as well, like the actual category, sub_category in the source databases.

It has not been prioritized because of the above (some clubs say they like it the way it is now, and it's a big, large new feature). Also, it would really only be highly useful for clubs who order from many (> 6) vendors. Most clubs on Foodclub order from less than 6 vendors, many only 1 or 2. There also always seems to be other pressing, real-world needs, and the current system of multiple source pages is highly flexible (working for all sorts of different modes of operation -- every club operates differently), if a bit clunky when compared with an Amazon-style shopping experience.

But I am curious to see how many people vote in your poll! If there is overwhelming support for it, it will definitely get bumped up in priority.
support
 
Posts: 566
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Re: Multi-Source Search Engine Anyone?

Postby Sandy (deleted) » Wed Jan 22, 2014 6:24 pm

I would like to be able to do global searches.

Sandy Shumate
Sandy (deleted)
 
Posts: 19
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2011 5:03 am

Re: Multi-Source Search Engine Anyone?

Postby balancebabe (deleted) » Thu Jan 23, 2014 5:06 am

Yes, please!
balancebabe (deleted)
 
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2011 7:01 am

Re: Multi-Source Search Engine Anyone?

Postby jvogin » Thu Jan 23, 2014 7:21 am

Yes yes yes to search!!!!
jvogin
 
Posts: 21
Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 5:03 am

Re: Multi-Source Search Engine Anyone?

Postby christiancoop » Fri Aug 08, 2014 6:52 pm

Thanks to everyone who has voted so far. Looks like this would be a popular feature!
christiancoop
 
Posts: 107
Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2012 12:17 pm

Re: Multi-Source Search Engine Anyone?

Postby support » Thu Sep 18, 2014 12:49 pm

In case people didn't notice, the multi-source search has been available for a week or so. Should be pretty obvious: a "Product Search" field appears for all users somewhere near the top of the page (exact location depending on theme).

Just updating this topic for the latest information.
support
 
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