Why the 30 Second limitation on searches

I find this 'feature' horribly annoying. A wrong click brings use of the site to a halt. I have to wait 30 seconds before I can search something else.

What was the purpose of this restriction?
Is there a better solution to the problem rather than hindering the user's experience?

 

Is this the typical message you see on most forums "This forum requires that you wait 20 seconds between searches"?

 

I get that it is typical, but why? What is the problem that feature is addressing?

Are there constraints on the server side, to help reduce processing etc?
Is it really needed?

 

This is strictly a guess, but it may have to do with bots and malicious searches. Not really sure though.

 

Naw I think they do it just to make me slow down and smell the roses.

Yup pretty sure it's secondary to constraints of the server.

Spouse needs to buy me a new I7 so I can get to the "This forum requires that you wait 20 seconds between searches" faster.

 

Sounds like you are using the stock forum search. ... which I buried because I hate it.

Use the Google search box in the header and hammer away.

The stock search kills the database .. the Google search is cached.