Is there an index for past threads?

[Derek Simmons]

I would love to view past threads of specific topics but don't seem able to!   Any ideas how to do it?

[JonE]

if searching on keywords doesn't work, best just see what google comes up with... you may find gems from the earlier Friends forum too.

[daveg]

If you want to look at articles just on this site you can use google site search:-

site:http://www.austinsevenfriends.co.uk nippy  This example will find every reference to "nippy"

This sites inbuilt search facility should do the same but sometimes I find things easier to find using google site search.

The old forum can be searched in a similar way:-

site:http://pub25.bravenet.com nippy

[Derek Simmons]

Thanks for the signposting. Sadly, it doesn't help much as it's not really an index going via Google!   Maybe the administrators will consider adding one in the future?  !!

[Timothy P]

Hello Derek,
If I'm understanding correctly, you're proposing that all threads should put into separate subject categories, so that you can browse a given subject easily.
When the forum moved to the new platform it was Initially set up with different sections for discussing different subjects. This was quickly changed as the move from a single page format like the original bravenet was not well received. This would have been the only practical way that what you are asking for could have been achieved. I hope you'll understand that manually categorising every thread is impractical.
Just to check, have you looked at the advanced search, which has been updated recently with tips on how it works and how to get the best out of it? For the purpose you are suggesting you may wish to change the way the results are shown to threads rather than posts, this would give you a list of the threads which contain a post with your search term(s} rather than a list of every single post which may prove easier to browse in the manner you suggest.
Happy to answer questions on the search function if you have more.

[Chris KC]

Just a thought but can individual users 'bookmark' threads? This might at least enable interesting one to be squirreled for future reference. Most frustrating when you know something was posted but can't find it with search.

[Timothy P]

Chris, Good question, happy to say yes there is.
Scroll to the bottom of any thread and you should have something which looks like that below. Hit the 'Subscribe to this Thread' link and it will take you to a page to select notification settings before confirming the 'subscription'. The standard setting is no notification which suits the use as a bookmark, but you can chose to be emailed or PM'd when there are replies which can be useful if you have asked a question and want to be notified of a response (this can also be done at the time of posting or replying to a thread below the reply box, but above the attachments pane).

   

To find your subscribed threads hit 'User CP' (circled below), and then 'Subscribed Threads' also circled, which will give you the page as below.

   

The other option is to use your browsers bookmarks system which in most cases allows you put bookmarks in folders and to rename the bookmark which can be useful when the thread title doesn't match the bit of info you were interested in.