Free text search strings of length 3 don't work

There is no UI feedback that Free text search strings of length 3 don't work.
3 chars is a legitimate length for a search string. Heck, '2' chars is as well.
We should allow them.

We also have to provide UI feedback when the search button is clicked. A spinner should start or something to that effect. Sometimes it can be slow responding, and the user is unsure if the button has been clicked or now.