Been trying to use the search function here lately and it seems completely useless.

Yes it's broken and has been reported already.

It's really really really annoying.

Evidently it is broken or you might have been able to find this recent thread: http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1513724-forum-trouble-search-not-working/

It's a known problem. The admins are looking into it.

We can continue in the thread linked.