Jon, I agree when a thread drift happens the title can be misleading and may stop people who would be interested in the new discussion viewing. As for Vague titles, the problem with changing them is making it obvious to those that are replying/watching the thread that it is the same thread under another name if you get my gist. Vague titles do capture peoples natural curiosity so I guess they can be useful in the instance of getting original views. As far as search goes, a vague title shouldn't stop results coming up in search, as it searches the post too (unless you choose title only). I did some tests on the search function and put some tricks that can be used on another thread asking about search, I'll dig it all out and see if it's worth making a guide, or better may be to see if the tips could be added near the relevant boxes in the advanced search (which you get by clicking the 'Search' button with the magnifying glass above the search box.)
Changing the title is an easy thing to achieve though, all built in, either the thread starter, a moderator, or admin can do this by clicking edit on the first post, there will be a Title box which you can change just above the normal reply box.
I think in a case of a thread drift though it may be best to split the thread, leaving the original one with the original title, question & answers, then having a new one with the discussion on the secondary topic moved over and a relevant title. A simple post in the original thread with a redirect to the continued discussion in new one would work so that those that were using the thread don't wonder what is going on.
It will be later on, but I'll have a look at splitting this one just to see how it all works and show how it would look.
Changing the title is an easy thing to achieve though, all built in, either the thread starter, a moderator, or admin can do this by clicking edit on the first post, there will be a Title box which you can change just above the normal reply box.
I think in a case of a thread drift though it may be best to split the thread, leaving the original one with the original title, question & answers, then having a new one with the discussion on the secondary topic moved over and a relevant title. A simple post in the original thread with a redirect to the continued discussion in new one would work so that those that were using the thread don't wonder what is going on.
It will be later on, but I'll have a look at splitting this one just to see how it all works and show how it would look.