Search Time Limit

[c750dt]

Why is the 45 second rule in place for forum searches? I'm sure there's a good reason for it. However, it could use some refinement. Getting 0 results because you made a typo or clicked the wrong selection and then you have to wait another 45 seconds or in other cases, having to wait 45 seconds just to be told there are no results can be somewhat annoying.

 

[wildchild]

I just find this funny cause i used to make soo many typos. Im much more careful now. I think 45 is reasonable and the reason admins indicated is fair enough. We just have to make sure we dont rush searches anymore

EDIT: the reason they gave was that it slowwed down the serverr

 

[iSlut]

Why is the 45 second rule in place for forum searches

I'm not speaking for the administrators but I suspect the answer has something to do with server issues. The more people search, the slower other functions here at GH, like loading of threads.

 

[hawtsean]

I'm not speaking for the administrators but I suspect the answer has something to do with server issues. The more people search, the slower other functions here at GH, like loading of threads.

I believe it's that very reason, also tied to a security timeout to prevent a bot attempt at a DOS attack.

 

[gb2000ie]

I'm also not an admin on this site, but I have spent many years admining bulletin boards, and I can confirm that there are two big issues with un-restrited search:

1) Search is HARD - it really hammers you database server, so you want to rate-limit it to stop your whole site collapsing under the load
2) Un-filtered search makes it too easy for automated bots to harvest data from your site.

I have no idea how the exact number of 45 seconds was arrived at, but I bet the admins spent a lot of time thinking about it, and probably tried many different values over the years and have organically ended up with this number as the best balance between server load and ease of use.

B.

 

[NightLitch]

Yes thats right. It was Radix that set this value I think. If this not have be there the database will collapse with timeout error and this is for all forum-software included.

 

[jeansGuyOZ]

On another forum I visit the time limit is 35 seconds - much the same. It's a limitation I can live with easily enough. Most times when I get it it's because I hit New Posts when i meant to hit something else.

 

[wowzeroonie]

Time limits can control spam bots (I believe), but more importantly, it can prevent the servers from becoming so overloaded.

I completely understand the time limits and I don't mind it. Although, it is a bit of a sad thing if your search returns no results or if you type something wrong. lol