This tip will help you to force wait times between each search. It uses the spam protection already in use for posts ..
Admin -> Edit Features and Options -> Seconds required between posts from the same IP
in Search.php look for:
function PlushSearch2()
{
global $modSettings, $sourcedir;
global $scripturl, $txt, $db_prefix, $user_info, $context, $messages_request, $attachments, $boards_can;
add after:
// Use the spam protection for messages as a wait time between searches.
spamProtection('spam');
no, it's not working for me at all.
If you are using it as an Administrator it wont work. Also you have to set some time in (Seconds required between posts from the same IP).
How does this display an error to the user? Surely it will say something like "you cannot post blah blah blah" which may confuse the user when they are trying to search, not post ?