Spectrum Computing

Posted: **Wed Feb 14, 2018 11:11 am**

Ops! I will fix it in the next ZXDB update.

Thanks for reporting it!

Posted: **Sat Feb 17, 2018 6:53 am**

Searching for "Break/Space" yields no results, but searching for "Break Space" returns "Break/Space".

Posted: **Sat Feb 17, 2018 8:04 am**

Also "&" and "and". A search for "Horace and the Robots" returns no results; "Horace & the Robots" works.

Posted: **Sat Feb 17, 2018 8:31 am**

Rorthron wrote: ↑Sat Feb 17, 2018 8:04 am Also "&" and "and". A search for "Horace and the Robots" returns no results; "Horace & the Robots" works.

Hi, as the title in ZXDB uses an ampersand it won't pick up the and in a search. Maybe the title needs changing?

Posted: **Sat Feb 17, 2018 8:34 am**

Rorthron wrote: ↑Sat Feb 17, 2018 6:53 am Searching for "Break/Space" yields no results, but searching for "Break Space" returns "Break/Space".

It's possible the forward slash is stripped as part of the PHP security checks we do on strings. We can check.

Posted: **Sat Feb 17, 2018 8:39 am**

PeterJ wrote: ↑Sat Feb 17, 2018 8:31 am
Rorthron wrote: ↑Sat Feb 17, 2018 8:04 am Also "&" and "and". A search for "Horace and the Robots" returns no results; "Horace & the Robots" works.
Hi, as the title in ZXDB uses an ampersand it won't pick up the and in a search. Maybe the title needs changing?

No, the title is correct in ZXDB, but it is quite unforgiving to insist on the exact orthography. I thought we were allowing "2" or "II", so shouldn't we also allow "&" or "and"?

Posted: **Sat Feb 17, 2018 9:49 am**

Good point. I will speak with [mention]Einar Saukas[/mention] and see if he has any suggestions.

Posted: **Sat Feb 17, 2018 1:50 pm**

I have worked for yellow pages, on it's search engine, and currently what I see reported here is entering this kind of complex search engine.

This requires a special index structure, besides a normal SQL database and it's search capabilities.
Note however, that this kind of support, takes a lot of work, and definition of alias, synonymous, link words, and other similar stuff, to be able to match all the expected outcomes.

Are we sure we want to go by this route ?

Do we have the resources, and man power to do it ?

Posted: **Sat Feb 17, 2018 2:21 pm**

RMartins wrote: ↑Sat Feb 17, 2018 1:50 pm I have worked for yellow pages, on it's search engine, and currently what I see reported here is entering this kind of complex search engine.

This requires a special index structure, besides a normal SQL database and it's search capabilities.
Note however, that this kind of support, takes a lot of work, and definition of alias, synonymous, link words, and other similar stuff, to be able to match all the expected outcomes.

Are we sure we want to go by this route ?

Do we have the resources, and man power to do it ?

You are right. We will never reach a perfect, flawless solution without investing more resources than it's reasonable to expect from a free site.

Even so, I think we can still get better results using a few smart tricks. Let's see...

Posted: **Sat Feb 17, 2018 2:22 pm**

Rorthron wrote: ↑Sat Feb 17, 2018 6:53 amSearching for "Break/Space" yields no results, but searching for "Break Space" returns "Break/Space".

This should be working now.

Posted: **Sat Feb 17, 2018 2:22 pm**

Rorthron wrote: ↑Sat Feb 17, 2018 8:04 amAlso "&" and "and". A search for "Horace and the Robots" returns no results; "Horace & the Robots" works.

This should be working now.

Posted: **Sat Feb 17, 2018 2:24 pm**

Juan F. Ramirez wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2018 8:40 amSearch for 'Arkanoid 2' doesn't work.

This should work after the next ZXDB update.

Posted: **Fri Mar 16, 2018 11:55 am**

Another issue:

If I'm looking for 'V', by Ocean, the system tells me the word must be minimum 3 characters long. So I must look for 'Ocean', and search for the game in the list.

Searching for 'V The Game' works.

Is it possible to stablish an exception to the three-characters rule for this case? The original, main game name in the DB is 'V', and 'V - The Game' is the 'aka'.

Posted: **Fri Mar 16, 2018 12:31 pm**

[mention]Juan F. Ramirez[/mention] sorry, but the 3 character minimum stops risk of strain on the database so it needs to stay.

Posted: **Fri Mar 16, 2018 2:12 pm**

It could be possible with a new table or indexed view that surfaces a relatively small number of titles to be exact-matched on <3 search terms.

Posted: **Fri Mar 16, 2018 2:15 pm**

[mention]Seven.FFF[/mention] I agree it's possible. We can add to the list.

That won't work for the above though as the title is 'V The Game'. Imagine how many results you would get if you were allowed to search just for 'V'. We are on a relatively small server and need to put these sorts of limitations in place.

I will publish a list of titles with under three characters over the weekend.

Posted: **Tue Mar 20, 2018 10:48 am**

... and another one.

Whenever I search a game that it is also included in a compilation, the results shows first the compilation this game is in, then the original game.

For example, 'Sir Fred' show first a compilation in which it is included. Then the game itself.

Something similar to other searches, i.e. like Pyjamarama or The Muncher.

I think the results should show the original game first, then the compilation.

What do you think?

Posted: **Tue Mar 20, 2018 1:20 pm**

Juan F. Ramirez wrote: ↑Tue Mar 20, 2018 10:48 amWhenever I search a game that it is also included in a compilation, the results shows first the compilation this game is in, then the original game.

Nope!

Whenever you search for "XYZ", then all titles containing string "XYZ" are listed in alphabetic order. It doesn't matter if any of them is a compilation.

Juan F. Ramirez wrote: ↑Tue Mar 20, 2018 10:48 amFor example, 'Sir Fred' show first a compilation in which it is included. Then the game itself.

For example, there's a title called "La Abadia del Crimen + Sir Fred" and another called "Sir Fred". When you search for "Sir Fred", both titles are listed, in alphabetic order.

Juan F. Ramirez wrote: ↑Tue Mar 20, 2018 10:48 amSomething similar to other searches, i.e. like Pyjamarama or The Muncher.

Same thing.

Now try searching for "Automania". You will find "Automania", "Pyjamarama + Automania" and "Rugby Manager + Automania", all listed in alphabetic order.

Posted: **Tue Mar 20, 2018 4:09 pm**

Ah, I know. The system considers game titles as equal as compilations, hence the results.

But what I'm trying to say is if the system is able to show requested games with these rules:
1. Games before compilations, then
2. A-Z

I'm doing some searches and it's a bit annoying come across compilations (2 or 3 in some cases) before the desired entry.

Posted: **Tue Mar 20, 2018 4:54 pm**

Juan F. Ramirez wrote: ↑Tue Mar 20, 2018 4:09 pmAh, I know. The system considers game titles as equal as compilations, hence the results.

Kinda.

The system searches for titles. It doesn't make a difference if it's the title of an individual game, utility, compilation, electronic magazine, paper magazine covertape, book, computer, hardware add-on, scene demo, educational program, etc...

Juan F. Ramirez wrote: ↑Tue Mar 20, 2018 4:09 pmBut what I'm trying to say is if the system is able to show requested games with these rules:
1. Games before compilations, then
2. A-Z

I'm doing some searches and it's a bit annoying come across compilations (2 or 3 in some cases) before the desired entry.

What about the other categories I mentioned? What should be done about them?

If someone searches for "LOGO" for instance, it will return dozens of titles from different categories, spread across multiple pages. What's the exact order you propose?

Posted: **Tue Mar 20, 2018 5:12 pm**

Einar Saukas wrote: ↑Tue Mar 20, 2018 4:54 pm If someone searches for "LOGO" for instance, it will return dozens of titles from different categories, spread across multiple pages. What's the exact order you propose?

If the advanced search had metacategories like Game and Utility, and perhaps also Adventure Game/Arcade Game/etc, would that help, Juan?

The DB structure wouldn't need to change for this, but the UI would need to do slightly more complicated query compositing.

Posted: **Tue Mar 20, 2018 9:25 pm**

Yes, the advanced search might be a solution.

My problem is I think SC is like Google!

Posted: **Tue Mar 20, 2018 9:30 pm**

Juan F. Ramirez wrote: ↑Tue Mar 20, 2018 9:25 pm My problem is I think SC is like Google!

That would be nice!

Posted: **Sat Mar 24, 2018 10:58 am**

[mention]Juan F. Ramirez[/mention]

As promised I have built a query to show titles of under three characters.

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.php?cat=668

Peter

Posted: **Wed Oct 10, 2018 12:22 am**

Posting in this thread as it mentioned the A-Z bar/strip of software titles being added.

Just wondering when the numbers bar/strip is going to be added. Be it a # or 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9.

Would the A-Z bar be better placed directly under the Home, Forum, Updates, Releases, Help, Contacts boxes.
Currently, it requires a scroll of the screen to make the A-Z bar/strip visible.

Original: 1920x1050 screen

Mock-up version with replaced A-Z bar: 1920x1050 screen

Spectrum Computing

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