The search could not be completed because...?

[Dean]

Super lame... how does phpbb get around the 4 char limit? I know we didn't have such search limitations when we were using it...

No idea. Hopefully Brogan will comment, he used to use that.

 

[Slavik]

Super lame... how does phpbb get around the 4 char limit? I know we didn't have such search limitations when we were using it...

As far as I remember phpbb2 had a search terms table which it referenced instead of using the mysql search which resulted in maaahhaaasssiiive databases if not configured right because it would also generate data for 1 letter words.

 

[Digital Doctor]

one tweak would be to make all 2 or 3 letter searches into wildcard searches.
ie: 10 php
to
*10* php*
behind the scenes.

as suggested here.