Generally, we want to keep threads on topic – it is easy to link and transclude other comments and posts, so we can keep threads focused and easy to find by starting new posts.
You can also easily edit “top” post categories, tags and their title by using the pencil icon next to the title, for quick fixes.
For instances, quite a lot of people post to the #how-to category not with an answer, but rather a question of “How To Do Something”. It’s quick and easy to change the category to Discussion, and maybe add a tag or two to make it easier to find.
Yep, good suggestion. And at the risk of this comment itself going OT — I wonder what the best way to teach people this other than moderators / leaders being a bit more pro-active about it?
We know discussions (conversations) can wander, and that’s completely fine. But when a question is asked that’s clearly deviating, then it should become a new topic. The only feedback I get is positive – people are proud they asked a question worthy of being a whole new topic.Once that’s happened a few times (sometimes only once) they “get it”.
If I EVER need to emphasize or explain my intent, I say something like, we’re trying to create a knowledge base: correctly titled topics are better for search engines.
