File Search Engine Information

File Search Engine is an online utility that you can access via the "Users Online" option, found under the "Chat" menu.

File Search Engine allows you to search through the file areas on this BBS for files which contain a specific string in their file names or comments. This is much faster than the 'BBS Find File' option, and supports searching through the files' comments, all while doing other things on the BBS. In fact, you do not even need to stay logged on to the BBS while the search is executed, since the results will be placed in your private mail folder.

To access the File Search Engine, send it an instant message , as detailed below.

Searching for a File by Name
Send a message with the text "Find <text>".
Replace <text> with the text you are searching for. If this text contains any spaces, you must place it in quotes ("). This command will only search through the namesÑnot the comments. Searching for names only is considerable faster than searching through comments.

You will be notified of the progress of the search by return instant messages (at the start and end of the search).

If you wish to see how the search is getting along, you can send the message "Status", which will return a message to you indicating the progress of the task.

If you decide you want to abort the search (perhaps to start another one), you can send the command "Abort". Any results found up to this point will be returned to you.

Searching for a File by Comment
Send a message with the text "Find <text> in comments".
Replace <text> with the text you are searching for. If this text contains any spaces, you must place it in quotes ("). This command will only search through the commentsÑnot the names. This search will take longer than a simple name-only search.

You will be notified of the progress of the search by return instant messages (at the start and end of the search).

If you wish to see how the search is getting along, you can send the message "Status", which will return a message to you indicating the progress of the task.

If you decide you want to abort the search (perhaps to start another one), you can send the command "Abort". Any results found up to this point will be returned to you.

Searching for a File by Name and Comment
To search by name and comment, send a command of the form:
"Find <text> in name and comments"
Operation is as described in the previous two sections.


Further Information
The File Search Engine is brought to you by Highlander Data Systems. For further information, queries or bug reports, please email support@highlander.net.uk.




Revision date 30/7/97