SharePoint User Group UK

Following a recent MOSS 2007 deployment, we are finding that the out of the box search doesn't quite suit out needs when it comes to providing useful results for knowledge base articles and keywords, for example.

Has anybody out there used any good third party search web parts, apart from Bamboo Search, which we've had some implementation problems with?

Thanks

BPS-SK

Have you had a look at Microsoft Search Server 2008 Express? It's free and might suit your needs.

http://www.microsoft.com/enterprisesearch/serverproducts/searchserverexpress/default.aspx

Also, it's worth mentioning (and apologies if you already know this) that Search services aren't just a matter of implementation and a "one shot setup" type approach. To have a successful search system you need to work hard had defining metadata, search scopes, etc and continually refining the search settings by regular evaluation of search queries - it's a big topic and one that I see more and more as a specialised area rather than just an extra peice of functionality.

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Paul Leigh

Thanks for this, it's very useful.

Think you're right about search being a specialised area, it really is a minefield!

We've had a look through the specs for search server and have found that the out of the box MOSS 2007 search is stated as being better.

See http://www.microsoft.com/enterprisesearch/products.aspx and scroll down to comparison.

We're trialling Ontolica again to see if it does the job.

Fingers crossed!

Thanks again

It's worth noting that out of the box search stemming isn't enabled, and that baffled our staff. Everyone is used to a 'Google like' search, and going back exact matching (as there is no wildcard either).

Note that you can do wildcard searching on individual properties (this was something I only learnt recently - http://www.novolocus.com/2008/05/29/sharepoint-search-doesnt-have-wildcard-searching/)


However, the most important thing from what I've seen is that you take the time to configure up the search. I gather that it's good practice to watch what users are searching for, and then try and improve that search experience.