why is the search so broad? am i missing something

[c-bass]

it seems when i type in a search phrase it comes back with any thread with any of the words in it. if i type "how to search" it gives me "how" , "to", "search" in any thread. am i missing a way to search "exact phrase or word".

[cosworth]

Sometimes I have to search twice. I post strangely to some, but I occasionally use keywords to find my own posts.

Often that search doesn't work and needs a second pass. Keep at it. Just the fact your using search is a GREAt thing.

[FZ1dave]

Use the option for searching titles only, you'll have much better luck usually. It's under advanced search.

[CyberDyneSystems]

If you use the advanced search features, you can specific to find the word in a post, or a thread title, (as FZ1 says, this is a huge improvement!)

Perhaps more importantly you can tell it to provide the results to the search in a link to the thread, or to the specific post where the match was found. If the thread is 20 pages long, the link to that thread is essentially useless,. so use the advanced search get links to the correct post.

[Moppie]

You can also search in individual forums under the advanced search, which can also help narrow down results.