Using Asterix In Form For Searching Records

Hello All

I've been looking and abusing the search function on this forum for this particular obstacle but no luck.

The client im building a database for wants a search form and everyone who used the old system are used by using *'s in their search criteria.
I know how I can use *'s in queries but its fixed (I think).
I want to let the end user use * when they want to pin down a particular product. So they just type in a part of a word and use a * at the end, middle or before.

Or should I just abandon the idea of using them in input form controls?
I know this works because I have seen it before, too bad I had no access to the source of it.

I hope someone comes up with some ideas, pointers or howto's

Thank you guys in advance