I don't understand the complaint about the search engine. If I'm looking for a song, I put a distinctive phrase from the song into the search box, and it comes right up. If I need to narrow things down more, I use the "advanced" link. Is there something more the search engine should do?

As for the Digital Tradition, yes, I'd like to see additions and changes come more quickly, but there are technical considerations that make that difficult. We're working on solutions (by the way, Dick Greenhaus is the founder and editor of the Digital Tradition Folk song Database - Max just gives it an online home). We've tried to supplement the Digital Tradition by crosslinking related threads, and by designating certain threads "Origins" or "DTStudy" when they contain pertinent background information. If you don't find a song in the DT, use our Filter or search engine to look for threads on a song, or go to QuickLinks and use our Song Origins list.

I think the BS/Music division works pretty well, but I do have to say that at times I get peeved with people who feel compelled to start multiple threads on related topics. The current onslaught of "rubbish" and "in every thread..." topics is really getting tedious. I can't figure out how people see humor in that sort of repitition. I guess they do, though.

Anyhow, I really am puzzled about the search engine and what problems people have with it. You'll note that there is a new feature on the search engine that allows you to sort results by date order - I find that feature very useful. I was never able to find any logic to ColdFusion's default "relevance" sorting, and I'm glad Jeff has developed an alternative.

-Joe Offer-