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Using Basic Search

Basic Search is a good starting point to quickly find files of interest.

It uses commands that are different than many operating systems and internet search engines.  Please read the following and note the known issues at the end of this article.

HINT: Click on the "Print" link above to open a text copy of this page in a new window for reference.  Then click on Basic Search to view the keyword entry box and try some searches.

To start a Basic Search:

Basic Search is handy for simple searches, such as "Princess," or "Design Line."

Keywords are matched to any word in the title and description.  These are added by TCI Library staff.  Basic Search does not search the contents of a file.

The keyword string including spaces between keywords is currently limited to 255 characters.

Each keyword must be two or more characters. One character keywords are ignored.

WARNING!  If Basic Search returns more than 1,000 documents that match your keywords, you are not seeing all the relevant documents in the Library. Use more keywords or Advanced Search to limit the number of matches. Your goal should be to craft a search that returns fewer than 50 results.

 

Other than search order, Basic Search defaults are: all categories, all words and both title and description.  All DOCman files, Articles and Weblinks are searched.

You have the option to refine the search on the Basic Search page or the Basic Search results pages. 

 

 Search Examples: (Keywords underlined for clarity.)

 Keyword: -000-000

Keyword: index

Multiple Keywords: Bell System

 

 If you don't find the BSP or document you're looking for...

 ... try looking up a BSP number in one of the index documents and search for the full BSP number.  The titles and descriptions may not contain the search keywords you're using.

... try a different form of an abbreviation -- for example, WE, W.E. or WEco.

... try the Advanced or Google Searches.

Since this site is a work in progress, recommendations for additional keywords for any document are always welcome.

Please use the "Contact Us" link to send corrections, suggestions and additions. 

 

Known search issues

Searches may fail if strange characters are entered into the search box.
This can happen when using copy-and-paste to move text from an html email to the search box.  In some cases, the characters are not visible, so you won't know they're there!  If a search returns 0 results, try typing in the search string and restart the search.