We have to turn searching off when the load on the server gets too high. When the load drops and stays low, we turn it back on again.
Plans are in place to improve server performance, which will mean we can again leave searching on.
The best time to try searching is at weekends, when the load is usually lower. The URL
http://www.pprune.org/usage_stats shows when the server is busy, i.e. when people can surf the internet from work for free
There is a posting in Rumours & News which explains what all the number mean.
BTW, if you wish to be humiliated, we can certainly oblige
---PPRuNe Dispatcher
[This message has been edited by PPRuNe Dispatcher (edited 22 January 2001).]