Obviously on this site it's on the top right corner of the page. But why is it there and can you still search the site if there isn't a search button?

According to a recent survey of the Top 100 blogs at Technorati by Smashing Magazine 62% of sites have the search box in the top right corner of the site, just like here, with the majority of the rest placing it at the top of the right hand sidebar.

Why is it there? Is there some amazing reason why you should place your search box there?

No not really, it's there because everyone else puts it there so thats where your user expects to look. Break the trend if you want to, but do so at your peril. If your users can't find the search very quickly they will give up searching - lol.

I've noticed a new trend in Joomla sites not to include a search at all. I have no idea what the logic is behind this decision but it frustrates the hell out of me. I know the content is there, as I saw it the other day, but now I just can't find it.

Now of course I could use google to search the site but it's just not logical to leave a site in order to search it.

Luckily most Joomla developers don't know some of the hidden features of Joomla so it's still easy to search those sites even if they don't have a search box.

http://www.domain.com/index.php?option=com_search

Later this week I'll share some other "hidden" features of Joomla and why it's essential to understand them.

I'm often asked for an extension that will translate a website into other languages. Although there are several available at JED that provide automated translation services I can never recommend them.

Why? Well if your content is important enough to you to write it in the first place then it is important enough to ensure that the translation is correct and no automated service will ever capture the nuance of a language accurately.

I know enough about just one other language to even attempt to translate some content and yet I know that one simple mistake in that language can turn a ball into a bullet.

Today I was pointed to an excellent example of where it is important to ensure that you have full control of a translation to ensure its accuracy.

The welsh text displayed on this road sign actualy says ""I am not in the office at the moment. Please send any work to be translated."

Full story here