Need help looking for elaborate search engine for website

5 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
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Hi, I have a great idea for a computer troubleshooting website but I need some modules to put it together and I don't know what they would be called or if they even exist.
So here is what I need. I would like it to be for joomla, but other platforms could work too.



I need a module that allows me to setup an elaborate multifield search.
  • The search input for the client needs to have between 5-15 original search options including drop down menus, radio buttons, and check boxes.
  • Instead of a search results page that displays a long list of "related" items, this module needs to be capable of retrieving a set # of pages based on a grouping of keywords and meta-data.
  • It also needs to be able to add search criteria on a going forward basis without having the user do it manually.
Does anybody know anything that can help me, or would I need to build a module to do this from scratch?
#program #search #specific #website
  • Profile picture of the author itmasterservices
    Personally, you would be best building it from scratch from the standpoint that you could fully customize it! But for simplicity I am sure there are some off the shelf options out there! What platform are you going run this on?
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  • Profile picture of the author Earnie Boyd
    Have you thought about using the Google API? Is the site currently active and you just need to do the searching part?
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  • Profile picture of the author Theory5
    Well, yes. Building the program from scratch does have its advantages, however It would add way too much time onto this project and I am not exactly a wiz at programming, so I would need to learn how to program most of it first. I don't even know if this site'll take off. I'm saving it as a last resort.
    Thanks for your input though.

    Google API? You mean like simply adding google search? No, I could not do that because google's searches don't seem targeted enough for what I want. The search seems to focus on the words on the page more than anything, and it isn't exactly narrowed down to sentances or paragraphs, rather it seems to find whole pages. Also I don't think it has the ability to search with 10-15 keywords or meta-data or add search info while in use.

    The search is going to be the backbone of the site. It is less of a search and more of a guided walkthrough based upon a large amount of criteria. The "walkthrough" will change as search criteria is added or removed.
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    • Profile picture of the author itmasterservices
      I like the idea of utilizing the Google API and I then just building the shell with ASP .NET or PHP.
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  • Profile picture of the author Theory5
    Oh ok, I see what you mean by google API. Hmm good idea i'll need to look into it a bit. Thanks. I thought the google API was just for putting a search on your site. I looked into it and it seems like a good basis. I'm just not sure of the ability to add search info during use.
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