Search Changes

Within the last few weeks we have implemented some changes to search. We changed the search crawl method from file-based to URL-based as mentioned in a previous post. Why?

1. Google has some 180+ factors that comprise their search algorithm. Their URL-based search uses all these to determine the results while the file-based search only used a small portion. The URL-based search maximizes the search logic and most closely resembles google.com search.
2. The URL-based search starts at the main page then spiders its way through all the linked pages to determine all the content. The file-based search indexed all our content and documents, linked or not. The URL-based allows us to provide more relevant returns that are actually linked from within the website.

What? You enjoy all the nitty-gritty details within agendas, minutes and other documents?
Relax, we knew some of you existed! When we changed from file to URL-based search we also added an Advanced Search.

The Advanced Search provides two main levels of functionality:

1. As with most advanced searches, it allows you to craft the search by including words, excluding words, searching exact phrases or having at least one word. If you love queries, structured logic and boolean operations...you will be in heaven.
2. You get to select what 'type' of content to search within. Some of these types are actually doing the file-based search to find the content. The types and details:
• All -- URL-based -- searches all linked content
• Articles -- URL-based -- searches all html content, no documents
• Contacts -- URL-based -- searches just the staff contacts associated with content
• Minutes/Agendas -- file-based -- searches all boards, commission and cac minutes, agendas and documents, no html files
• Documents -- file-based -- searches all documents across all areas, no html files

 The Minutes/Agendas has quite an archive of documents...

• Appearance Commission, 2002 to current
• Arts Commission, 2004 to current
• Board of Adjustment, 2001 to current
• Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission, 2009 to current
• Budget & Economic Development Committee, 2001 to current
• City Council, 2000 to current
• Citizen Advisory Councils, current agendas
• Comprehensive Planning Committee, 2001 to current
• Historic Cemeteries Advisory Board, 2009 to current
• Law & Public Safety Committee, 2001 to current
• Parks Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board, 2002 to current
• Mordecai Historic Park Advisory Board/Parks Committee, 2006 to current
• Planning Commission, 2003 to current
• Passenger Rail Task Force, 2010 to current
• Public Works Committee, 2001 to current
• Raleigh Historic Districts Commission, 2002 to current
• Raleigh Transit Authority, 2005 to current
• Zoning Public Hearings, 2001 to current

If you use the Advanced Search or have thoughts on the change to the main search...let us know. Comment here...feel free to start the dialogue.