Sorry Guys... Options

[Coomer]

Hey,
I just thought I'd let you guys know what I've been doing so you don't think I'm just lazy. I've been trying to get three-letter search phrases to work, but I've found out some bad information.

The three-letter search phrase is a limitation of MySQL(the site's database software) itself, and not Invision Power Board.

From this link, I found the following:

The minimum and maximum length of words to be indexed is defined by the ft_min_word_len and ft_max_word_len system variables (available as of MySQL 4.0.0). See Section 5.2.3, “Server System Variables”. The default minimum value is four characters. The default maximum depends on your version of MySQL. If you change either value, you must rebuild your FULLTEXT indexes. For example, if you want three-character words to be searchable, you can set the ft_min_word_len variable by putting the following lines in an option file:

So the options are as follows:

Convince my host to change this value to three. This probably won't happen, as it'd be a huge performance hit on their servers.

Convert to manual searching. This method is slower, and doesn't work very well on large boards? Remember how bad the search got before the forum upgrade? That was because of manual searching with our large database. I just tried it out, and a search for "+Celica" didn't even return any results. So this really isn't an option.

Buy a dedicated server, and configure MySQL myself. There are huge costs associated with this option though. Probably anywhere from $140-200 per month, and I just can't justify that for a website like this, seeing as how managed shared hosting works fine now except for a couple configuration issues.

So I think we're pretty much stuck without three-letter search phrases.

[WannabeGT4]

So everyone on your shared server would have the ability of 3 character searches? If so then they probably won't even consider it since many users are probably sharing that same server. If not maybe they will enable it just for you. You have a bandwidth limit or charged by bandwidth so I don't see why they wouldn't. It'd just mean more money for them if you happen to go over your limit or need additional bandwidth. It won't hurt to ask anyway. I'm constantly needing to find three letter phrases and since most people aren't going to type out anti-lock braking system, exhaust gas recurculation, vacuum switching valve, turbo pressure sensor, etc. etc., It is quite frustrating. I usually end up searching by the person I remember posting the information and then go back to the aproximate date that I remember and sift through those. Anyway I'm just rambling now. We all really appreciate what your doing and the three letter limit is the only thing I don't like about the forums. Good luck and thanks for giving us such a great site!