IBM Support Assistant User Guide

Search Component

Details

Search Locations


IBM Software Support Documents
This selection searches IBM software support documents available at http://www.ibm.com/software/support. You can search different types of support documents. IBM Newsgroups and Forums
This selection accesses selected IBM news servers and searches the IBM forums available at http://www.ibm.com/developerWorks/community.

IBM developerWorks
This selection searches articles on the IBM developerWorks Web site, http://www.ibm.com/developerWorks.

Local Help System
This selection searches the product information topics included with your IBM product. When performing a search of the Local Help System, the Search component may require extra time if the Help system has not previously been indexed. Initial indexing only needs to occur once per workspace, and, once completed, the search will be very fast.

Google Web Search
This selection submits a search request to the Google Web site, http://www.google.com.

Using the Search Options
In order to search for support information, you need to provide a search word or phrase and one or more search options. Type a search word or phrase into the search box, and click on Search Options to see what options are available to you.


Search Locations
Select at least one search location, so the Search component knows where to look for information. Depending on which locations you select, the Search component may offer you additional search options. The following table summarizes the meaning of the various search options.

Table 1 Summary of Search Options
Search Option Meaning
IBM Software Support Documents Search the IBM software support Web site
any document Search IBM software support documents regardless of document type
specific documents Limit search to specific document types
IBM Books and Articles Limit search to documents containing links to longer documents
IBM Downloads Limit search to documents containing links to software downloads
IBM Known Defects Limit search to documents describing software defects and corrective action (APARs)
IBM Technotes Limit search to brief technical documents
Limit products to search by Limit search to documents for specific IBM products and versions
IBM Newsgroups and Forums Search selected IBM news servers
any newsgroup or forum Search all available postings
specific newsgroups and forums Limit search to postings from specific newsgroups and forums
DB2 Limit search to postings for DB2
Rational Limit search to postings for Rational
Tivoli Limit search to postings for Tivoli
WebSphere Limit search to postings for WebSphere
IBM developerWorks Search IBM developerWorks Web site
any product area Search all available articles
specific product areas Limit search to articles for specific product areas
DB2 Limit search to articles for DB2
Lotus Limit search to articles for Lotus
Rational Limit search to articles for Rational
Tivoli Limit search to articles for Tivoli
WebSphere Limit search to articles for WebSphere
Local Help System Search the local IBM product help system
Google Web Search Search the Web using Google



Required Search Inputs
Most search options are truly optional. However, note the following rules regarding required search inputs. These rules must be followed when performing a search:
  1. A search word or phrase must be entered in the search box.
  2. At least one search location must be selected.
  3. If IBM Software Support Documents is selected, at least one product name must be selected.
  4. For any search location or product name, if the "specific…" radio button is selected, at least one of the checkboxes below it must be checked.
Navigating the Search Results
Search results are summarized on the left side of the search page. Search results summaries can look different depending on which search options you selected. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the syntax for entering search words and search phrases?
A: Since each search location can support a different syntax, there is no prescribed syntax for the Search component.

Q: How are search results ranked?
A: Search results are ranked according to the native ranking algorithm of each search location.

Q: What does “Error Processing Search” mean?
A: The search service did not complete correctly. Check to ensure you have an Internet connection to the search service when this error is displayed.

Q: Will my search criteria be saved?
A: The search options that you specify will be remembered between searches; however, if you shut down the IBM Support Assistant window, you'll be starting anew the next time that you invoke the Support Assistant.

Q: What are validation errors?
A: Validation errors indicate that the search options were not selected correctly.

Q: What about JavaScript and cookies?
A: Be sure that JavaScript and cookies are enabled in the browser. If you are using an embedded browser within your IBM product, JavaScript and cookies should be enabled by default.

Q: Can I still perform searches if I don't have an Internet connection?
A: You can use the IBM Support Assistant Search component to search the Local Help System if you don't have an Internet connection; however, the other search targets require access to the Web.

Q: Why won't the Search Results tree expand when I click on it using Internet Explorer?
A: If you've installed Microsoft Office software on your system, it may have contributed a "Discuss" button to the toolbar. If this button is selected, then mouse-clicks may appear to be unresponsive in the Search Results tree. The workaround is to de-select the Discuss button.