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 product-related postings in 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 WebSphere software product. When performing a search for Local Help System, the search can take a very long time if the Help system has not previously been indexed. The 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.
Locations
Select at least one 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 tables indicate the meaning of the various 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 type
specific documents Limit search to specific document types
IBM Books and Articles Limits search to documents containing links to longer documents
IBM Downloads Limits search to documents containing links to software downloads
IBM Known Defects Limits search to documents describing software defects and corrective action (APARs)
IBM Technotes Limits search to self-contained technical documents
IBM Newsgroups and Forums Searches selected IBM news servers
any product area Search newsgroup postings regardless of product area
specific product area Limit search to postings categorized for specific product areas
DB2 Limits search to postings categorized for DB2
WebSphere Limits search to postings categorized for WebSphere
IBM developerWorks Searches IBM developerWorks Web site
any product area Search developerWorks regardless of product area
specific product area Limits search to articles categorized for specific product areas
DB2 Limits search to articles categorized for DB2
Rational Limits search to articles categorized for Rational
WebSphere Limits search to articles categorized for WebSphere
Local Help System Searches the local product's help system
Google Web Search Searches the Web using Google

Product Options
Search Option Meaning
WebSphere Studio Application Developer Limits search to documents relevant to this product
WebSphere Application Server Limits search to documents relevant to this product
DB2 Universal Database Limits search to documents relevant to this product
any version Does not limit search by product version
specific version Limits search by selected product version

**Note that the search options in the Product Options table only apply if IBM Software Support Documents is selected as the Search location.

Required Search Inputs
As the name implies, most search options are optional. Please note the following rules regarding required 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 – such as IBM Software Support Documents, or IBM Newsgroups and Forums -- 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 result 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 the 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 in the results navigation tree.

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 the embedded browser within WebSphere Studio, 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, all of 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 machine, 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.