yes it does not work all the time but often "subject"
site:vanagon.com will return enough results for me and it's a LOT
faster than going right to the vanagon list archives
http://gerry.vanagon.com/archives/vanagon.html . If I don't find what
I want (or need) I go to the list archives.

It's not THE answer, it's a just another answer. FWIW the list
archives work a lot better (for me) if I limit it to a couple of
years at a pop.

Rob
becida@comcast.net

At 11/30/2008 09:56 AM, pickle vanagon wrote:
>Sorry for shouting in the subject line.  But, as you say, this suggestion is
>posted all the time, in varying forms.  But, as I've posted a few times
>before, it doesn't really work!!  Google does not currently index the whole
>vanagon site.  (Don't ask me why).  When you try to search the list this
>way, you are missing a large fraction of the archive.
>
>For example, I challenge you to find the following message ("randomly"
>selected):
>http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind0611b&L=vanagon&F=&S=&P=28169
>
>This message contains the search terms head, gasket, and acura
>
>But you will never be able to find this message using google, because google
>does not know of its existence.  This seems to me to be the case for the
>vast majority of messages actually.  So, two lessons here.  First of all,
>all those times when you used google to search the list, there probably were
>a lot of more relevant results that you missed.  Secondly, there really is a
>search problem.  The archive search is basically unusuable and google is NOT
>a substitute (it doesn't work, it just looks like it does).  Currently, if I
>NEED to search the archives, I find the only reliable option is to search
>"by email" using the instructions here:
>http://gerry.vanagon.com/info/searching.html (note that though this
>sometimes takes a while, it always works.)
>
>The issue with google is an issue with ALL currently available methods of
>using google to search the archives.  Including using "advanced" searches,
>or using the site:vanagon.com command, or whatever.  If you think you have a
>way that works, try to use it to find the message I linked to above.
>
>In response to the original poster (about google groups), I think its a
>great idea.  Hopefully, they'll add the possibility of moving over the past
>emails in the future.
>
>-Wes
>
>On Sat, Nov 29, 2008 at 12:44 PM, Bob Stevens <mtbiker62@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> > A thorough search of the archives (yes, tongue in cheek) will disclose what
> > has been suggested here .... that entering your search subject, then "
> > vanagon.com archives" in the google search box, will always get you very
> > quick results. That then brings to mind the blather that is included in the
> > majority of posts, while not changing the subject in the subject
> box and the
> > reason the archives are so full of not-much-of-use. Go take a look. It's a
> > fact.
> >
> > The wheel does not need reinventing (IMNSHO), but does need to be put on
> > the Vagen we already have in order to be useful.
> >
> > Bob
> > '87 Syncro Westy
> >

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