Vuze Meta Search Adding Search Templates

Vuze Meta-Search Introduction

I have seen questions in various places around the web regarding the Meta-Search function of Vuze.  I put up this guide in an effort to explain the basics of this option and answer those questions. 

Most users will use this guide to install Vuze search templates to be used in expanding the results of a Meta-Search, as the default search engines will produce very few relevant results.  I have provided instructions on how to do this as well as a link to download search templates that I have tested in my Vuze.  These templates will work in Windows, Mac or Linux.  So this guide will take care of all issues regarding the adding of search templates to Vuze. 

Accessing Vuze Meta-Search

To access the Meta-Search, you need to conduct a search.  Initially, this may be done two ways, through the search box  in the middle of the Vuze screen or through the search box in the upper left corner of Vuze.  I have entered "linux".

Inside Vuze Meta-Search

Once inside the Meta-Search screen you will see two tabs, Web Search and Meta Search.  The web search is simply a Bing search for the term(s) you entered.  The Meta-Search is the search that is important as it accesses torrent search sites.

Advanced Filters for Vuze Meta-Search

On the right hand side of Vuze in the search area is a section called Advanced Search Filters.  This should be expanded and showing the various filter options.  If it is not, click on those words and it will expand to show the options to be discussed here.

The first filter option is Show results with.  This allows you to have results that include the keywords and also to exclude results from those that have keywords you choose to exclude.  So if you wanted results with the word "linux" in them, but exclude "mint" from those results, you would add those words in as in the below image.  Once you type into these boxes, an X will appear next to the box.  Clicking on this X will clear that box.

The next filter option is file size range.  This is to sort by file size among the results obtained.  In the search for "linux", the smallest file returned in the search was 87kB and the largest was 4.88GB.  This option works by clicking and holding the arrow at either end.  Changing this will eliminate results that fall outside the new range you have set. 

I do want to emphasize that this is only to sort among results you have obtained.  I see many users asking how to increase the figures here.  For instance, one will search for a movie, but the results will not be more than 100MB in size and that is what the file size range filter will show as the maximum.  This is due to the fact that the default search templates will only show results for trailers, reviews etc., and not the movie.  To expand the results, and the file size range, you need to add additional search templates.  Once that is done, you can use this filter to eliminate trailers etc..

The next filters are regarding the amount of results to show per page and to limit results to a category.  This is pretty much self explanatory.  The categories can be useful in weeding out results you do not want.

The final filter is to Show results from.  For most users this is the most important part of this guide.  The image below shows the default filters that are included with the Meta-Search, MiniNova, Vuze (their HD network) and Subscriptions (RSS subscriptions you have enabled through Vuze).  Vuze and MiniNova will produce very few results and most often those results are not relevant to what you want.  If you click on the name of a search site listed there, the results will change to show only results from that site.

Installing Search Templates for Vuze Meta-Search

In this section, I will provide you with links for working Vuze search templates and instructions on how to add these to your results. These templates will work on all operating systems (Windows, Mac & Linux).   All templates were tested by me and uploaded by me.  Once added, your results will expand greatly and you are more likely to find what you want.

The templates can be obtained at :  Vuze Templates .  You will see various sites listed, with a download button below.  (I have also uploaded a 7zip file containing all 15 search templates)

To install, you can press download  and either

• Select "Open with" in your browser and select Vuze; or
• Save the download to your computer and open by double-clicking; or
• Save the download to your computer and go to the Meta-Search section of Vuze and select the Add/Edit option and select the import a new template option and browse to the template location.

I would suggest using either the 2d or 3rd option as you will have the templates on your computer to re-enter in case you have an issue with Vuze requiring a complete uninstall and reinstall.

The first two options need no further instruction.  However, the discussion involving the third option is relevant to those options should you decide to remove a site.  Assuming you have downloaded the template(s), you would then go to the search section and click on Add/Edit

This will bring up the below screen.  To add a site in, click on Import a new template and on the following screen browse to where you saved the template and select the template.  Vuze will add the site in and re-search the term entered with the new site included.

You can de-select sites to be included in the results by un-ticking the site listed.  You can remove a site from all results by clicking on the X next to it.  Note that the Vuze HD network must be included in all results and that neither Vuze nor MiniNova may be removed.  Any of the sites you add through the templates may be removed or de-selected for a search.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this guide has answered any questions you have about the Vuze Meta-Search and has helped to make that search effective with the adding of additional Vuze search templates.

If you have any questions or suggestions for the guide, I would appreciate it if you would post here or at our forum. 

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