How to search and find information on DirectAdmin

ranz

ranz

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Joined
Apr 8, 2010
Messages
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Location
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It's a good idea to search before you post as a lot of questions have already been answered.

You have 3 main options for searching - Google, Forum Search and KnowledgeBase Search.

Option 1: use Google

Google has an excellent search engine - and results are fairly accurate. To use Google to search DirectAdmin, point your browser to Google and type the following in your search box:

Code: 
site:directadmin.com <type your search terms here>

a real example could be:

Code: 
site:directadmin.com dns zones

TIP: you can put your search term inside quotes "" and this will search the exact phrase.

Option 2: use the Forum Search

Alternatively, you can use the Forum Search feature. There are two ways to search throught forum:

1. Basic Search

As the name suggests, it's a quick and easy way to search for something. The results, I find, our usually OK. However if you're looking for something more refined then use the Advanced Search.

2. Advanced Search

I prefer to use Advanced search because you get to choose a few more options like Search Titles Only.

It's also a good idea to search inside specific forums - if you don't find anything then widen the search scope (include sub-forums) etc.

Your search terms can also include Booleans:

To search for expressions which include spaces, use the hash/pound symbol (do not use quotes)

eg.
Code: 
dns#zone
will return matches for both dns zone and dnszone

Boolean operators also work. Words are AND'ed together by default.
eg.
Code: 
debian centos
will return all threads which mention both operating systems.

Code: 
debian or centos
will return threads which name either

Code: 
debian and not centos
(or debian -centos) will return matches which mention one but not the other

The asterisk wildcard also works
eg.
Code: 
com*uter
will return matches to both computer and commuter

It can also be combined with the boolean operators: com*uter and not computer will have the same effect as just searching for commuter

A useful trick for searches shorter than the 4-letter limit: append an asterisk
eg.
Code: 
DNS*
(but beware this will also return any words beginning with dns)


Option 3: Use the Knowledge Base

goto http://help.directadmin.com and enter your search term in the box at the top of the page.

Tip: Use '%' for wildcards and quotes for "exact phrases"
 
Last edited:
Think theres a plug-in that allows all fields to be disabled on the new post page, so, you can tell them are you sure you've checked the knowledge base/etc, if they have, they can tick the checkbox to enable fields.

Source of this in action: DigitalPoint
 
And this would be just on the new post page not the reply page? That would be great IMHO. I would think the text could be modified to included searching the forum before posting.

I believe some have suggested in the past that this would not help a lot because human nature being what it is people would still post before checking other resources. But how do we know unless we try it?
 
I wouldn't want to make it harder to post; I think we should encourage use of the forums, not discourage it.

If you don't want to respond to someone, that's fine :). I don't respond to a lot of threads because I believe someone else may have the answer while I'd have to search for it, or because I believe it's easy enough to find.

But why shouldn't someone else respond if they can and/or desire to do so.

Of course it's only my thoughts. Your mileage and thoughts may vary :).

Jeff
 
Two sections...

I have always thought that the forum should have 2 levels, a license holders level and a general users section.
This way we can be rude to each other in the license holders section because we should know better and we can show more patients with the users or the resellers
This would keep most obvious or already answered posts in that section.
 
@Nexxterra.com:

Great idea - and I second that!

@jlasman:

I think you have a point - they will probably ignore it!

Perhaps we should make this post a sticky? That way it gets some "exposure" - we can always refer to it as a point of reference.
 
jlasman said:
I wouldn't want to make it harder to post;
Click to expand...

It would just be one extra click. If one extra click is going make it too hard for them to post then maybe they really should not be posting. Just an opinion.
 
Has someone found the plugin, or do you expect an administrator to find it?

Note that I make NO decisions as to how the forum operates; that's up to DirectAdmin staff.

Jeff
 
jlasman said:
that's up to DirectAdmin staff.
Click to expand...

And don't think everybody expects you to do everything either. At least I too know its up to DA staff. At best I know you can only present it to them or maybe they happen upon this thread.

I think it might help alleviate so of our frustration in answering the same questions week after week. But I definitely could be wrong. I personally learn by trying stuff.

I might just have to start ignoring posts or simply state "Its already been answered. Search the knowledgebase, versions system, and forum."
 
Peter Laws said:
Think theres a plug-in that allows all fields to be disabled on the new post page, so, you can tell them are you sure you've checked the knowledge base/etc, if they have, they can tick the checkbox to enable fields.

Source of this in action: DigitalPoint
Click to expand...

I've seen this - but cannot seem to find the mod. Have searched vbulletin.org and forums.digitalpoint.com. Anyone know the name of this mod?
 
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