I'm thinking there should be instant bans given to people who whine and complain about the search feature, only because they still don't know how to use the proper syntax...that has been around for decades. Am I being rude here....probably, but even my non-tech savvy users understand the * switch in a search. It's been that way in ever version of Windows and DOS I can remember.
Here's my actual helpful suggestion. The Windows Search feature works wonderfully. Take a moment to learn how to use it. An ATM isn't going to work very well if you don't know how to use it...but that doesn't mean the ATM is broken. In the time it would have taken to create this thread ranting about the search feature...you could have googled the proper syntax.
I've seen and heard it many times, but it always holds true: 'Tis easier to complain than to learn.
After studying different documents and howtos on Win 7 Search, I will admit that I gave it much less credit than it deserves. Setting it up and learning the syntax does indeed go a long way in bolstering its usefulness. However, I still find that there are issues. For instance, WinKey + F, which is supposed to search across the entire index, finds nothing. GROD for as long as I wish to watch it. Whoopee. That aspect is unusable for me. I gain better results searching from Computer.
Also, I find that it doesn't always find all files under all conditions, and, if I just create a file, it will not find it for several hours. Perhaps the index needs to catch up. No excuse, IMO. Conceivably, you could chalk all of this up to my ignorance (of which I confess no shortage), but if you believe that Search is without flaw, you haven't thought it through.
I will soon start a thread asking about any possiblity to exclude drives from search. It's nice that one can exclude them from the index, but why no ability to eclude partitions and folders from the search process (AFAICT)?
Summed up, I am liking and enjoying the benefits of search to a much greater degree since my decision to commit myself to learning the ins and outs, but certainly, it's not perfect. It has its deficiencies.
Perhaps its biggest flaw is its failure to provide a 'middle ground' for those less technical than others. This is a big problem, as your frustrated responses reveal. That being the case, perhaps you should examine why you are so frustrated by this. Is it because those who don't understand how to functionally use search are idiots, as your berating responses in these cases seem to imply? I think it more likely that MS has failed to meet the needs of the largest share of its market by not providing a simple method of search (in addition to the advanced search) that works reasonably well for the uninitiated.
Again, I have a much greater respect for Search now. But surely you don't expect that the masses will comprehend the intricacies of search when often, just operating their computer is a challenge?
I suppose a good analogy would be to ponder a skill which is beyond your ability to understand, much less perform. Does this make you an idiot? Of course not. No more than those who fail to understand Win7 Search. Therefore, your suggestion to instantly ban those who have trouble with search is denied.
James
