cyril,
Thanks for the reply and help. I have Smart Search kind of working. The predictive part isn't displaying and I have to display a submit button to get the search request passed. (The keyboard enter button isn't submitting it.) There is a conflict somewhere in the design.
The design requires multiple search methods and I am not sure how best to approach it.
I can see where I need a search list type also. Just not sure how to build it right now. Again, I am searching across multiple content types and fields but the search form requirement calls for check box options. It's a travel site, so I want visitors to check off desired attributes such as locations, price range options, activity, etc.
Originally I spec'd a Joomla 3rd part extension called "Custom Properties" where you manually assign properties to each article with the extension. This does want I want on the user side but is labor intensive for admin given there are about 1000 articles to work with and trips changing all the time.
As another method of searching, I installed the Search Generic plugin which is great but it's not working across multiple content types and unique fields within those types. I have separate post on that topic
here.
Thanks again for any direction you can provide.
Joe