So what's the general consensus on the Search function?

I was initially excited about this but it's not being used by anyone...... My suggestion would be to make it search in all cities and outposts, or make it search in cities and outposts in certain areas (For Tyria: Kryta, Ascalon, Southern Shiverpeaks).

I like the search function and using it is just fine, there could be improvements. But I don't see what's so horribly wrong with it that no one decides to use it. It's great for temple of ages, for example. Or mission locations. Other than that it isn't very useful if it doesn't search outside the particular outpost or city you are in. Finding a team for vanquishing or those titan quests would be easier if it did search in more locations, but for now it is nigh impossible.

Two words why it sucks tremendously:
Character Limit.

And that is precisely the reason why I refuse to use it at all. The limit for text you can put in there is way to low. You can't even write out which classes you're looking for unless you're using some ultra macrolanguage and even then it is not enough.

LFP, 1 EP - HP/DF ELE, 1 BL MO... , character limit reached.

Edited by Arkantos - Don't try to get around the swear filter.

Kas don't try to get around the swear filter... /report your post. If know you were making a point, but here on the forums please use censor our words completely, like so ****

Party search tends to be more useful for trading then anything else.

Edited: Sorry confused Guild Wars Guru search with in-game Part Search, edited my post to correct that.

too little, too late
old habits die hard

I use it.... when I have to.... and I don't have to very often.

I encourage other people to use it, and typically someone else does for about 2 minutes tops.

I think ideally what is needed is further and harsher measures in place to stop spamming:
~ Prevent the same message being posted twice in succession (inhibiting copy+pasting), or without at least two other different messages inbetween.
~ Tighten the limit on rapid-posting, and add to the message a note to use the Search Function instead of spamming.
~More filters on variants of "WTB" and "WTS" to stop people bypassing the existing censors in Local Chat.

If these things were put in place then I expect at least some people would try using the Search Function instead...
It really isn't all that bad but for the low character limit... but then most folks use abbreviations and don't have any problem with it anyway. I crash against the char-limit because it is beneath me to use abbreviations. I make do though...

Character limit make it rather useless. Another issue is that if you move, the text is gone.

-> should be made to search worldwide (and really *search*, not just an organized list).
-> should be "permanent" on your character (only dismiss manually), and work when you're outside of cities too.
-> should have a way to "link" a mission/item, so you don't have to type a description/name, everybody knows what you're looking for, and that could be used for filtering too.

I use it, but usually no one else is, so I end up just using it to add hench & heroes to my party before I go. Seems people would rather just spam the same sentince 15 times in 2 seconds then use it. As for Character limit, well you could just type something like, LFG for Mish, and then pick and chose from the people inviting themselves. that is if people would remember that it's there.

Anyhow... for Search function to actually be used, it would have to be made more efficient than just spamming... which means making spamming more difficult. I will keep announcing this until I get people agreeing with me.... -_-; ... I'm sick of the spamming everywhere and I will persist in speaking out against it and offering simple solutions until it is dealt with!

True spamming is and always has been a problem. But even with the search function in page, it tends to not stop spamming.

Party Search would be used more if filters were in place to stop spamming in general, but it isn't going to happen.

The text limit on the Party Search is by far the biggest disadvantage of it at at the moment.

The text limit on the Party Search is by far the biggest disadvantage of it at at the moment.

Why not?
Given that Local Chat already has "WTS" and "WTB" at the starts of sentences filtered out and prevents such things from being posted.... it wouldn't be too difficult (nor unfeasible) for A-Net to add all regularly used bypass variants to the list... including "WT.S", "W.TS", "W T S", "W_T_S"... etc... and all equivalents for the buying too.

Yes good point, maybe a month long scan of all the different methods being used to get around the filter would do they trick. But of course people will always find a way. Which is why the only option would to be to implement an automated chat scanner which could updated filter as required.

I think the search idea was great - but Anet didn't listen to real needs

They ask, "why is no one using the search function?"

Players respond, "Because the character limitation is too small to give the information you need to about what you are selling or doing."

Anet: "Why is no one using the search function?

Players: "Because the character limitation is too small "

Anet: "Why is no one using the search function?

Players: "BECAUSE THE CHARACTER LIMIT IS TOO SMALL"

Anet: "Why is no one using the search function?

Players: /hold protest, /wave banners, /spam forums, /shout, /use megaphone: THE CHARACTER LIMIT IS TOO SMALL!!!!!

Anet: "Why is no one using the search function?

LOL! Funny stuff. That pretty much sums it up. It's a great idea, but the execution hasn't been outstanding. Indeed, if they increased the character limit, even just a few chars, it would help tremendously.

Character limit too small.

and importantly NOBODY REALLY KNOWS ABOUT IT!

Seriously. I tell people and they are like "Oh i didnt know that" -.-

Where in the game do they tell you about it?

I've only ever used it to add Hero's and Henchman in a faster, less annoying way.

Other than that its the most useless addition we've ever been given.

Point: A lot of people aren't even aware of the contents of the UI.

I've had to explain to quite a few newb assassins that the combo-level markers show up on the enemy's health-bar.... as if they couldn't find that out for themselves by looking... JUST for example...

If the anti-spam message that pops up for copy+paste freaks actually mentioned using the Search Function, some of them might take heed of it.... though I doubt alone it would effect much.

I agree, the character limit is a huge problem. I only use it for trading green weapons "S: Victo's Axe - 15K" For selling most other items, it's useless.

If it were a continent wide message board, that would also make it tons better than what it is. Of course, people would have to type more than "LFG for Mission"

Search is wonderful, but the current version sucks. >.>

My feeling is that the Party Search is useful if it's used. But, as said above by Fender, " too little, too late, old habits die hard".

What I don't find useful is the tacked on function of listing Trade goods. The text field is much too limiting.

There's a related discussion concerning the state of in-game trade here.