The search utility has been re-instituted on RDF. Grab it while you can, it may disappear again soon.
If you have not already downloaded your posts (or any others of interest), and if your file has not been wiped out, this is what to do:
a) Open RDF: http://forum.richarddawkins.net/index.php
b) Log in. Use the button at very top of page. Do not use the log in ready boxes.
c) Click on "Search the Forum" at the top menu list.
d) The old, friendly, complete search engine opens.
e) Assuming you are after ALL your own posts:
...1) Ignore keywords box.
...2) Enter your user name in the "author" box.
...3) Don't touch the "Search in forum" box.
...4) "Search Subforums" ? Tick YES.
...5) "Search within", leave it alone (on post subject & message text).
...6) "Display results as": Choose either Posts or Topic, depending on your choice in item 8 (below).
...7) "Sort Results by", Tick "ascending" it is more rational, & if you need several sessions, easier to file.
...8) "Sort results by" Multichoice: Author / Post time / Forum / Topic title / Post subject. I left it on 'post time'.
...9) "Limit results to previous", Click 'All results'.
...10) "Return First", Click on "all available". (characters of posts).
Unless they've been wiped, ALL your complete posts will be retrieved.
If you've downloaded pre July 2009. You'll notice that there are about 4 times more pages as before. Find the date of your last download. Match it with the page of the new format (trial & error is the fastest way, takes a few minutes), & continue downloading from there.
To complete my downloads from the last session in July 2009 took about an hour.
My browser of choice was Safari. Save each page file as a 'web archive'. Do NOT save as only the address.
You'll know if you've saved it as a full web page by: the file size is almost always bigger than 150 KB. And when you clear all browser caches, etc turn off your computer, disconnect the modem. Switch back on, and click on the saved file, it should open complete, except for the RDF emoticons & your avatar. Downloaded photos & YouTube will still be there, unless they've vanished off the internet altogether.
But if the photos & charts have downloaded. If they do vanish in due course, they will still be on your hard drive & open normally (vids won't, unless they're still on the internet). GOOD LUCK!
No words for how that makes me feel for you, CJ. You and a couple of others that we know of in the same boat ... *hugs*
