I think the search button works fine...you just have to be creative with your search....
I hate to close topics and reserve it for only topics that have been talked to death, vulgarity or off topic detail, or a obvious disregard for the search engine....
People CP is a passion for all of us and like you, I like the Fresh look to CP place that we all create together..Just keep in mind that when a topic is closed its not because we thought it was dumb or unimportant but because it was most likely duplicated..Before I close a topic I always do a search myself for it..If i find it I close it on most cases..Its a formula that works well:)
-------------
http://www.msu.edu/~armbrus9/cp.html mf laps = 100! No More No Less!!