You dont need to patch RC for this. You can use my searchbox plugin. I also have a new version that makes it user-configurable but it's waiting for a bugfix in rc and probably 0.3.2.

Thanks, the plugin is good however my question is more why the default changed to just the subject too?

The default has been the subject for as long as I can remember, no idea why it was changed or if it ever was any different. I agree this less than ideal, thats why I made the plugin. I think sender is almost more important than subject. You could make the default to/from/subject, then it would also give you your 'Sent' searches. Not perfect, but something at least.

Cor