I found this @ Jakob Nielsen's "Alertbox"
After having a look at the source of sitepointforums I put a searchbox in my header template - searching is now lots easier.
just put this inside your header template, just change"Suchen nach" according to the language you wish to have (search for)
See it at: http://forum.mtb-news.de
hth
Tom
Search Should be a Box
Users often move fast and furiously when they're looking for search. As we've seen in recent studies, they typically scan the home page looking for "the little box where I can type." We've long known that users scan, and the implications are clear:
On home pages, search should be a type-in field and not a link.
The search input field should be wide enough to contain the typical query; if the box is too small, the query will scroll and diminish usability.
When I changed the useit.com home page to include a search box instead of a link, search engine use increased by 91%. Small change, big effect (as is often the outcome when implementing usability guidelines).
(Interior pages may use a search link if they have a very simple design; complex interior pages should use a search box.)
Users often move fast and furiously when they're looking for search. As we've seen in recent studies, they typically scan the home page looking for "the little box where I can type." We've long known that users scan, and the implications are clear:
On home pages, search should be a type-in field and not a link.
The search input field should be wide enough to contain the typical query; if the box is too small, the query will scroll and diminish usability.
When I changed the useit.com home page to include a search box instead of a link, search engine use increased by 91%. Small change, big effect (as is often the outcome when implementing usability guidelines).
(Interior pages may use a search link if they have a very simple design; complex interior pages should use a search box.)
After having a look at the source of sitepointforums I put a searchbox in my header template - searching is now lots easier.
just put this inside your header template, just change"Suchen nach" according to the language you wish to have (search for)
Code:
<smallfont><form action="search.php" method="post"> <input type="hidden" name="s" value="$session[sessionhash]"> <input type="hidden" name="forumchoice" value="- 1" /><input type="hidden" name="searchin" value="subject" /><input type="hidden" name="searchdate" value="-1" /><input type="hidden" name="action" value="simplesearch" /><input type="hidden" name="booleanand" value="yes" /> <input class="search" onFocus="this.value='';" type="text" name="query" value="Suchen nach..." size="15" maxlength="150"/> <input type="hidden" name="action" value="simplesearch"> <input type="image" src="images/go.gif" name="Submit" border="0" align="absbottom"></form></smallfont>
hth
Tom
Comment