Hm, the advanced search actually allows you to save your existing search filters. I am not sure how possible it is to create a predefined one but perhaps this could be thought for in the future.

I decided to wait some time to think it over. The member list idea could work, but I realized that while it seems neat, it's not as effective. I came up with three possible methods of having a predefined advanced search. The last idea of this post is my favorite, the first two are just to follow along with some theories, although the second one is decent.

1. At first I figured why not allow the admin to define the default advanced search items from the frontend. Here's what the theory looks like (see the extra link on upper right I added):



From an administrator stand point it isn't as ideal to have management that affects a big feature of the site from the frontend. However it is convenient and is easy to manage.

2. Manage the predefined advanced search through the advanced search menu item. It could use a tab called "Predefined Items" where you could build a list of the items to display by default when making a fresh search in the advanced search. Doesn't seem problematic, but not quite sure how the Stacked team would feel about this one.

3. Have the custom fields be able to define the predefined advanced search. Here's a screen shot showing what it could look like:



Notice it's in the advanced tab? This makes it so that only those who are interested in advanced features will see it hence reducing the overwhelming factor for ES newbies. Theoretically the extra options (as seen in the screen shot) can be hidden until the option to use the search default is set to yes. This will allow for flexibility and keep it even more clean. If we wanted to go one more extra step we could also allow the admin to define the default value to go into the form when the user uses the advanced search.

While I know a user can create their own filters (which is nice), we have to think of the situation from your average users perspective. Things are nice when they are set up for us. Guests cannot create these filters. Also be mindful that if the admin sets the advanced search form up in a way that most users like, this will reduce the need for users having to save filters which saves space. In addition to this, the users who still want to user filters can freely do so and be more pointed in the right direction. And finally if this does come out, I can hide from the user the "equals" form by using the following CSS:

[name*=operators] {display: none;}

This will make the form feel more simple while giving the users exactly what they want!

Seems like a pretty good idea here Josh, will share this with the team

Good idea Josh! I am with you on that.
This is the kind of search that JS has

Thanks Mark. Also thanks Checksum for the support.

I love this idea Josh!

I have been wondering about this actually. I noticed that in the Advanced Search page when I choose Gender I get a dropdown list. I would have thought that the other dropdown custom fields in my profile, would also dropdown in the Advanced Search, but they dont. It seems kinda strange because how would members know what value to write... I think they need some direction as to what values are available, and a dropdown is perfect for that.

I think what I would love is to be able, as admin, to create an advanced search showing the fields I want to show. Rather then asking the member to create their own search filter.

Really hope this something that is being looked at for the near future!

Cheers for now,
Katie

P.s I posted another request in the forums for an Advance Search sidebar Module. Hopefully it would have these features too

http://stackideas.com/forums/advanced-search-module

Thanks for the heads up on this guys

Mark,

this feature has already been launched?


Thanks.

Not as far as I understand. They are currently focused on releasing ES 1.2 which is their highest priority at the moment. The predefined options are for sure something we want, but we must be patient.

Josh,

But this function can be included in version 1.2, we still have time

Hello Cristiano,

Cristiano wrote:
Mark,

this feature has already been launched?
Thanks.

I am really sorry but I think you are a little over-demanding. There is no where in the roadmap that says this will be included. I do appreciate Josh's input and we really love it but this does not mean we need to include this immediately. We have already lined up hundreds of new features within 1.2.0

I am really sorry but I think you are a little over-demanding. There is no where in the roadmap that says this will be included. I do appreciate Josh's input and we really love it but this does not mean we need to include this immediately. We have already lined up hundreds of new features within 1.2.0

Mark,

I really appreciate your work.

I'll pay a series of customizations for easysocial work as a dating site, so I do so many questions (with a third-party developer)

Any functionality that you will include is one less thing for me

Sorry to bother you

Hello Cristiano,

Thanks for updating Appreciate it

I know this is a little late but I think a pre defined search makes a lot of sense. I have fields set up for my Site. Such as what tool and how long? If I can search for someone with over 10 years of photoshop experience I am getting to close to the heart of what my Site should be about

Hello Paul,

You can already save your advanced search results but this of course would only be visible to you

And that is the crux of the problem. If you look around on sites that offer advanced search capabilities, almost none of them require the user to "build" the form. Adding stuff and saving a filter is a great touch, but there needs to be already existing items in the search form. Otherwise most people won't want to bother with it. In addition to this, having it "already made" will not only save the users time, but will also save database space by giving the users what they generally want, hence less saved filters.

HI Mark

Yes I figured that. I have been reading posts about searching this afternoon.

I take it we are talking about the little Search box on the left hand side of the main ES Community page. It has a little “Advanced” button below it. Thing is that if this is the subject of the topic here, I can not get it to work. Not even the simple search!?! Tried searching for "FCP X" and "Archy" (First 2 screen shots.) The "FCP X" being mentioned in a group and "Archy" being a group member. When I click through to the advanced option it seems weird the fields that are being presented to me. Some of my custom fields that I brought over from CB are there but some are not. Why can I search for "Tools of trade" but not "How long"I am confused!?! By the way I still think it would make a lot of sense to have the option to have at least one predefined search available.

Actually I would love to see a search function working hand in hand with a map. Similar to this here:http://vote-exchange.org/community
Now the search and map are not actually linked in the above example but would´t it be cool if they were. Search for a photshoper with 100km radius etc

best

Paul

Thanks for the heads up on this guys