I feel like an idiot, but I can't figure out how use the matrix any more. The old methods I used in the past (search/narrowing the matrix) don't seem to work. The basic home page has a "search" button at the top which does nothing; I found a search page (http://www.cmsmatrix.org/matrix/cms-matrix?func=search) but the search button is gone on that page and I can find no way to submit the search. What am I doing wrong?

The search button/function is an issue we are aware of and it's being addressed. When the issue is resolved it will work closely to how the search functioned on the old site.

Thank you!

I am very disappointed, I was used to using CMS Matrix frequently with the old, non-dynamic search. But now, CMS Matrix is useless for me, because search for CMS with specific features is no more possible.

It seems to be a serious problem for you, to get the dynamic search to work. What about reactivating your old, non-dynamic search ?? Otherwise you will use visitors, and that would be a shame

The search feature does work although it takes a bit more work since there are so many options in the "system requirements".

Or, if you are searching totally based on *Features* then you can absolutely search for a CMS product.

The search is real-time and so when you choose your criteria (each field) the list of CMSes on the left side of the screen will check the products that match your criteria. At any time you can then click on the Compare button and you'll be able to compare the CMS products that match your criteria.

Many people seem to think you have to click on a Search button after you enter the criteria, but that is not the case at all. Instead, the list of CMS will automatically update and checkmarks will appear next to the products that meet your criteria. You can compare a maximum of 10 products at a time.

We're currently modifying the search so that it will not show you products that do not meet the criteria on the left side of the screen. This is something we should have done from the start but didn't think about until feedback rolled in. :)

So, stay tuned. Search still works right now but it will be getting much better over the next couple of weeks!

After trying to effectively use the site and search the list, I have two recommendations.  Take the list off the home page (leave the stats!) and supply some info about how to use the search, just like you have listed in this thread.  Both would help the load times and usability. I didn't know how the search worked until stumblling across this thread.  And the current version of Firefox just crashes while trying to load the home page.

You might even try running a browser detection script that redirects Firefox users to a page telling them to use IE to search.

Anyway, that's my two-bits.  Other than those two glitches, I think you've created a great resource website here.

Thank you!

D White

Greetings,

Thanks for the feedback and we appreciate everyone's patience while we work on the search issues. Here's what we are working on right now:

#1 - Eliminate the hundreds of unique search options in all of the fields under "System Requirements". Previously the old matrix engine allowed vendors to enter their own product information and so we ended up having hundreds of these unique options in the fields when we migrated to the new engine. (which uses a select box instead of a text box)

So we've been converting the options and simplifying the search options. As of tonight you'll notice that almost all of the fields under "System Requirements" have been reduced to 7-10 options. This is to provide greatest utility and effectiveness in narrowing down the CMS search options.

The next step (currently in progress) is to change the search results function. Right now, when you choose options on the right list, it updates the CMS master list and puts check boxes next to each of the products that meet the criteria. However, most people do not understand how this works and think that the search is broke. It's actually not because if someone clicks on "compare" then it will compare the products that are checked.

However, we agree that this is wonky and are in the middle of fixing this problem. This will really help make searching user friendly and won't confuse visitors who are trying to use the search.

They will just be able to select options and the search will continue to be in real-time and will show the CMS products that meet the criteria. Then they can click "compare" and see the data in a matrix view.

Thanks for all of the feedback and patience while we have made adjustments to the site. CMSmatrix.org is administered by volunteers and so we don't have dedicated resources that are available 24/7 to help implement new features and upgrades.