Wait requirement when searching through knowledge base

[hemsimmons 0]

Why do I continually get the annoying message that I must wait XX seconds before I can submit another search?   I am just trying to find the most relevant items that may answer my question.  I even get that message when simply going to page 2 of the presented results.  It really makes attempting to make use of existing Q&A a complete pain so I give up well before I normally would and just submit my own question.

[Carlo 4330]

Hi, What is the exact message you are getting?

Have you tried using the navigational tree instead of searching?  All articles are broken down into relevant sections.

[ebr 14912]

Hi.  Yes, please give us the exact message.  I've never seen this before.

[Mister Steve 28]

I get the error when searching the forums but not the KB.   The KB is good but the forums also hold a large base of knowledge.   A minute is a harsh penalty; it can take a couple of search word refinements to produce relevant results.

[Luke 37063]

1 hour ago, Mister Steve said:

I get the error when searching the forums but not the KB.   The KB is good but the forums also hold a large base of knowledge.   A minute is a harsh penalty; it can take a couple of search word refinements to produce relevant results.

@Abobader can look at loosening this up slightly. Thanks.

[Luke 37063]

20 hours ago, hemsimmons said:

Why do I continually get the annoying message that I must wait XX seconds before I can submit another search?   I am just trying to find the most relevant items that may answer my question.  I even get that message when simply going to page 2 of the presented results.  It really makes attempting to make use of existing Q&A a complete pain so I give up well before I normally would and just submit my own question.

@hemsimmons can you please tell us the exact message and/or show a screenshot? Thanks !

[Abobader 2945]

46 minutes ago, Luke said:

@Abobader can look at loosening this up slightly. Thanks.

Search flood been changed. So restrict apply to 15 seconds now.

[Mister Steve 28]

Wow, @Abobader must be a wizard, 15 seconds is totally reasonable.  Thanks!

[hemsimmons 0]

Thanks -- it does seem better today -- have only gotten the message twice with just 2-4 seconds to wait.  I still don't totally understand the purpose but I appreciate the improvement.

[ebr 14912]

1 hour ago, hemsimmons said:

I still don't totally understand the purpose

Searches - especially some really broad ones - are probably the most resource-intensive operation the forum can undertake.  If there were not some sort of limit like this, it would be possible for someone to write a program to easily bring our forum (and maybe even the server it is running on) to its knees.  This is known as a DoS (Denial of Service) attack.