|
|
|
Comment |
Sorted by
Date Written |
Re: Oh dear..... (Reply to this comment)
by Penguinlady
Yes, it sure is depressing. In the four years since I wrote this, not only has the Search function not gotten any better - it's actually gotten worse.
We used to be able to organize the hit list by name or ratings, but can nolonger do that. So now we have to search through dozens of pages of duplicate listings to find what we want.
We used to be able to click the "Write a review" link on each hit on the list. Now that link is on only a few of the items. So we have to do a SAP to add a product that's already on the database.
The duplication issue still exists, but now has the added feature of featuring totally unrelated items, like alarm clocks in the books listings.
Telling people to Google on products is NOT an acceptable option. First of all, it sends the message that even management knows how dysfunctional the Search function is, but is so busy adding products that we can't review and new members that they can't take the time to make the existing site work properly. Also, I don't always find my own stuff when I Google on it.
I could go on, but you get the idea. I'm honestly amazed that the site is still in business when they havemade it so difficult to find anything, and no one seems to be working on it. We keep hearing that they are, but I've been here for more than eight years, and it's as bad, or worse, than it ever was.
Which is the main reason my own output has declined so drastically.
Thanks for commenting, so long after I wrote this! I can feel my blood pressure going up - sloppy mediocre work always has that effect on me!
Margaret
|
Feb 11 '08
8:18 am PST
|
|
Oh dear..... (Reply to this comment)
by smorg
...this was written in 2003?
Now I'm depressed, Margaret! ;oP Thanks for another eye-opener!
Cheerio,
Smorgy :o)
|
Feb 10 '08
6:56 pm PST
|
|
Re: ~ (Reply to this comment)
by Penguinlady
"Works" on them? Why, no one, of course! That's why it's such a mess.
I personally segregate my spats by color - red for tomatoey stuff, white for eggs. (Just kidding.) Actually, the only reason to do that is if you keep a kosher kitchen. And if that's the case, isn't it nice to know that EP is looking out for your interests?
Margaret
|
Aug 31 '03
1:18 pm PDT
|
|
Growl...... (Reply to this comment)
by tombarnes
When I was a travel CL, I found the search function quite maddening. Something might have already been in the database, but it would not show in the search function. I would add products and then discover that I had added duplicate listings--all because the search function was not working. Period. A well worded essay on your part. Thanks for speaking up for all of us. Tom Barnes
|
Aug 27 '03
8:03 pm PDT
|
|
Let's hope (Reply to this comment)
by _haggis_
someone is listening.
Haggis
|
Aug 26 '03
8:48 pm PDT
|
|
Yep it sure stinks (Reply to this comment)
by bonniesayers
I agree totally about the ebay search mechanism. It is far better than even the one at amazon.com
There was a time when you could search by author or actor and find the other listings for said person, but that is gone and inoperable as well. I have not tried the ISBN search, but even the LAPL.ORG site (los angeles library) has a terrible search engine.
Maybe someday they will get it together.
Bonnie
|
Aug 26 '03
7:56 pm PDT
|
|
hey there... (Reply to this comment)
by sleeper54
..
If ever something was worth pasting that jury-rigged 'Most Helpful' rate that was outlined somewhere here on Eps by some obscure member . . .this review would qualify!!
google always seems to work for me. But I have not searched for stuff that I 'know' is here.
Your thoughts about 'tabbing' all the categories is a great idea. What could be so difficult about another row of 'index tabs'? And your point about the continuous 'see more' links is also on the spot.
you said...
"But there is a tremendous amount of duplication on each page."
This happens in simple 'trolling' of the various sub-sub-categories also, not just the 'search' result pages. It should be a damn embarrassment to the site!
you said...
". Fixing the Search function ought to be the Number One priority of the entire staff, even before the adding of new products."
Amen!
...tom...
"Searching is half the fun: life is much more manageable when thought of as a scavenger hunt as opposed to a surprise party." —Jimmy Buffett
|
Aug 26 '03
3:14 pm PDT
|
|
Re: search function? (Reply to this comment)
by Penguinlady
I've done that too, but even Google can't always find what I know is on the site. I've tested it with some of my own reviews and Google couldn't find them. So it's not an infallible resource.
There's no hope...
Margaret
|
Aug 26 '03
2:17 pm PDT
|
|
|
|
