Need some clarifications :-

1. is it mandatory to enter a user name under options->Search->Search guest user?
2. Do options set by clicking checkboxes under the field list, remain checked when up revisit the page ?

Having some trouble with search, as an example a search using 'Agra' here does not show any results : http://fotohobbist.com/photogallery/page/search/

however, they do here : http://fotohobbist.com/photogallery/page/search/tags/agra

And yes, i have checked the tags field in the field list

Please at least upgrade to 1.4.1.2. Best try the trunk nightly build right away since a few things have been fixed.

1. I think it is not mandatory to enter a search user.
2. They will be stored in a session cookie if I recall right.

Don't remember the details exactly as my collegue more familiar with the search internals is away currently.

works fine, thank you. however the extra step of checking the fields in the field list needs to be done. This time the options are correctly stored and retrieved ?

That list actually mirrors your list set on the search options.