Searching the Backroom?

[Raz]

Why is it not possible?

[Andres]

I think because it's too big.

[Beskar]

Perhaps a weigh-watchers plan is in order, so it doesn't feel too uncomfortable.

[Lemur]

When I need to find an old backroom thread, I do the following:

1. Bring up the "find" function in Firefox
2. Type in word or phrase that I think was in the title of the thread I want
3. Click back one page at a time through the Backroom, waiting for the "find" field to light up

Usually works. Don't forget that you have to enable the older thread display at the bottom, forget what it's called.

[Banquo's Ghost]

My understanding is that Andres is entirely right - the database for the Backroom is too big to implement a search of any sensible function.

There is the practical side effect that means most people can change their position without being exposed (apart from dedicated chaps like Lemur finding one out - and no-one believes him anyway ). As in most parliaments, this provides plausible deniability and maintains the tradition that no-one ever changes their mind in the Backroom.

[Tellos Athenaios]

But it would make for less “ping pong” if they could.

[miotas]

You could possibly use google to search for what you want. Type in some keywords from the thread you want and then type "site:forums.totalwar.org". Although that would search the entire forum, not just the backroom.

[pevergreen]

I think the backroom is hidden from that, though I may be mistaken. (it being an opt in forum that bots cant see?)

[caravel]

Correct - webcrawlers cannot see the backroom because it is a private forum that only members can view - therefore you won't see backroom threads showing up in search results.

You can use the search string miotas mentions however to search the rest of the forums. In fact doing so may be quicker than using the built in search (not to mention less taxing on the server) - for example

rome total war mods site:forums.totalwar.org