WiKI serious shortcomings

[Peter.Greulich]

If one goes to the old help file http://support.alphasoftware.com/alphafivehelpv10/ and types in, for example, round() in the index, you immediately get the round() function, which is as expected. Do the same thing in the WiKi http://alphafivewiki.com/tiki-index.php and you don't get the round() function at all! Perhaps the WiKi needs a function finder? Either that or the search algorithm is flawed.

[Tom Cone Jr]

Re: WiKI serious shortcomings

It's a bit different. The parentheses get in the way.

Search Wiki Pages

for

Round function

check the exact search option

what do you get?

[Peter.Greulich]

Re: WiKI serious shortcomings

if I type in round() w. exact checked, I get nothing. If I type round it shows up in the middle of a list. If I type round or round() in the Google search box it doesn't show up at all. I don't know, it seems confusing and deficient to me. You have to know the exact way to type it in, in the correct box.

[Tom Cone Jr]

Re: WiKI serious shortcomings

"round function" (without the quotes)

works for me

Check the "How to use this Site" link on the Alphapedia home page. It leads to some useful search tips. Perhaps the tips could be expanded and that might help.

-- tom

[Peter.Greulich]

Re: WiKI serious shortcomings

round function...works for me

Great!

... is there an echo here?

Still seems confusing and deficient to me.

[Al Buchholz]

Re: WiKI serious shortcomings

"round function" (without the quotes)

works for me

Check the "How to use this Site" link on the Alphapedia home page. It leads to some useful search tips. Perhaps the tips could be expanded and that might help.

-- tom

What? What?

So there are 3 ways on the page to search..... I'm looking for the direct connect to my brain, but in the meantime, I'll use one of these 3......

[aRob]

Re: WiKI serious shortcomings

I counted five "search" or "find" boxes on that page.

[Tom Cone Jr]

Re: WiKI serious shortcomings

Rob, I've found the "Search Wiki Page" feature to be closest to an Indexed search for a keyword in the CHM. However, I've noticed that the trailing parentheses in function names, like TRIM(), cause my searches to fail. Simply omitting the trailing parentheses often gives me exactly the result I need. Still the wiki experience is different, and will take some getting used to. -- tom

[Mike Wilson]

Re: WiKI serious shortcomings

Has anyone added something to a Wiki page yet? How did that go? I come across examples that don't work. I'm wondering how we will be able to correct them.

[Bill Parker]

Re: WiKI serious shortcomings

I don't find any link on the main Alpha site to the Wiki, or from v10 itself. I'm not sure how much they want users to find it.

Sure would like one more conversion of the v10 web help to a chm for local use.

Bill.

[jkletrovets]

Re: WiKI serious shortcomings

Rob, I've found the "Search Wiki Page" feature to be closest to an Indexed search for a keyword in the CHM. However, I've noticed that the trailing parentheses in function names, like TRIM(), cause my searches to fail. Simply omitting the trailing parentheses often gives me exactly the result I need. Still the wiki experience is different, and will take some getting used to. -- tom

I just spent my first real dedicated time(okay 15 minutes :)) on the wiki after reading this thread. I have to agree with everything Tom says above. Right now, I have to agree with Peter....it seems confusing and deficient.

What I found is that Tom's advice of using the "Search Wiki Page" box seems like good advice.....well...to me at least....the results seem more in line with how I think (or what I am used to).

I think clicking on the icon to collapse the right column makes the page less confusing and easier to read because it is less "busy". But, then the only search box appears at the top and it is not the "Search Wiki Page" box. I find it VERY hard to read when the topics returned by the search have EVERY instance of the word highlighted. I understand the reasoning for this....just makes it hard to read IMO.

Maybe the wiki is an acquired taste. :) Just wanted to offer my observation as well.

Regards,
Jeff

[jkletrovets]

Re: WiKI serious shortcomings

I should have mentioned that I am also very happy that Martin is tackling this job. I am sure it will evolve. It is nice to have some "movement" on the help issue that is so often mentioned as being troublesome.

I am optimistic we are gonna be better off in the end. This is most certainly a MONUMENTAL job for Martin.

Regards,

Jeff

[gkeramidas]

Re: WiKI serious shortcomings

i am no fan at all of that web based help system. i'm sorry that the local help system is abandoned. everyone thinks the web is the answer to everything but i don't want to have to go to the web for help.

that's my opinion.

[Al Buchholz]

Re: WiKI serious shortcomings

or from v10 itself. I'm not sure how much they want users to find it.

help - help source

[gkeramidas]

Re: WiKI serious shortcomings

al, i know where to set it, but it's the local help source not being updated that bothers me.