If your new to a forum or exploring a topic for the first time, there may well be several pages of posts to wade through. Or do you? Do you try to read them all or just the last page? Do you read any of them? If you read a page do you read all the posts or just some. What kinds of posts do you skip? This information would be helpful in staying on topic and writing better posts.

Personally, I read the first post to see what the person who started the topic had in mind and maybe the first page. Then the last page to see where the topic has wandered to.

I tend to skip posts that look silly, i.e.-all caps, all small letters or alternating sizes. Long posts have a tendency to wander all around a subject. You should be able to make your point in 2 or 3 paragraphs. A post with a lot of quotes makes me think the writer is trying to pad out the post, especially if they quote themselves. If the writer appears angry or upset, I'm on to the next.

This is just my opinion and I would like to hear yours.

When I voted, I said I would read the last page, but I always check the first page to see what whoever made the topic says about it. Normally, I read the whole first page, then go to the last page, to see where the conversation has gone. I read the whole last page, so I don't look like a dummy posting something totally off topic.

I always read every post, except if it has way too many smilies, like every sentence. But I do love smilies! I won't read it if it's all caps, or totally mispelled, I am pretty easy about spelling, because I have quite some trouble spelling curses, or spells, or names sometimes. But if the person doesn't bother to use puncuation, or doesn't try to spell at all, well thats one I won't read.

I always read ones that agree or disagree, because I like to hear other peoples opinion. If it makes me upset, I tend to ignore it, instead of shouting my feelings out on my next post. If I can disagree in a calm manner I will. I like quotes, but too many is a bit annoying, if I have more than 2 or 3, I just say the persons username in my text.

Lastly, I don't like one long paragraph, if you split it up, I can easlier find important ideas! Thats my opinion, yah, kinda strict, but thats me!

Ginny!

When I voted I picked first page thou I usually read the whole thing just to see what all they have talked about and how many times (if any) they got off topic. It's all so cool to see who began replying in the first place then stopped.

Then I picked all of them for the above reason.

I tend to igonre most silly posts or ones I find to disagree with me on things I am set in.

*Buckbeak rules*

I usually read the first -say- five posts to see what the topic aimed at originally and then skip to the last page and read the last five posts to see where it has developed if it has. Quite often the topic has somehow changed a little bit in time so I want to know how it was discussed first and how it is discussed now. Then I decide if I have something to say about it. Or, if the topic is really really interesting I will read all posts but that usually does apply to minor topics as the ones with 30+ pages often enough are not those I would consider extremely interesting for me

I usually read the first and the last page. The intro in the theme is very important. You also have to know, about they (the other persons) take right now.

Bu i do not do this EVERY SINGLE TIME....


But the most...

When looking at a new topic I put doen look at the last page.

What I actually do is read the first post to get an idea of what the topic is likely to be about.

Then jump to the last page or last couple of pages if there is only one or two posts on the last page.

I am put off if the posts are too long. Probablybe a lot of good ideas and inspirational thought going on but I am sorry to say by time get to the end have forgotten everything that was said.

I read the last page to see what they are discussing. Then I read a few that look that are well thought out then skip the short posts that look like they mean jack all. I also ignore the posts that have to many smilies like this: Or if the topic was who is Snape really Betraying and say: I totally think he is betraying Voldemort, then they have no reason to back it up other than babbling on about who Snape is betraying and being repetitive. Heehee. That was rambling!

Okay... I usually read the first page if it is my first time of reading a topic. Then I might go through a couple of pages to see what other people have posted but not if there are loads of pages already. I will look through all the posts if the topic is new and only a couple of pages long. Otherwise, I will skip to the last page and read the posts there before I post myself. I don't really skip posts for any reason other than the fact they are too long... I get a bit bored reading a post that drags on for half the page, so I'll skip that sort of one out. Or if it is totally stupid, like somebody messing around, then I will just skip it. Unless it is funny to read. I didn't actually read all the posts in this thread before posting so there you go...

On the first page I read the first post - to see what the topic will likely be about. Then I read about 3 other posts on that page. If there're many pages, I skip those, then read the last page wholely (if it's only one to three posts, I read the page before the last page as well).
I usually don't like colours. The yellow isn't readable. Also, the text seems smaller if it's coloured (or is it?), which makes me skip it. I also don't like no punctuation, or to many or no capital letters... I try to make my posts how I'd like to read them. I tend to use many of these marks: ( ... ), I don't know what they're called.

I read the first page whole and the last page whole if there are too many. If there is only 2 0r 3 pages I will most likely read them all. I don't like posts that are too long. I believe as interesting as they might be the main point is nearly all the time near the end. That's about it.

I usually read most of the last page because that's where all the new stuff is. It also depends on what the topic is about, if it's something that I really have a strong opinion then I'll spend more time reading, but if I don't then I won't read as much.

Normally, I'll read the last page to read what the thread is up to and the first page to see what the thread was originally created to discuss. But if I'm confused or interested, I'll read a few pages in the middle too.

I always read the last page of posts, only skipping the really long ones, unlesss i'm really passionate about the subject. I sometimes read the first page to see what the topic was supposed to be about.

I usually read the last one or two pages of posts. If there is a post that looks to silly, then I tend to only skim that instead of reading it intently. If there's a post thats long, that means that the writer really was interested into what they were writing, which makes me want to read it more!

Well, when I start to explore a new topic, I usually read the very first post to see what its about and then I read the last four or five posts so I can catch up with the conversation...and while reading those I really dont skip over any because if I do, then I get completely lost on what everyone is talking about

I usually read the first page, and then the last few posts.

I skip any that are colorful, extremely short, or with too many smilies.

If the post is really long, it depends on how much I care about the topic. Sometimes, I read it and quote back, however, if I just want to get my say in it, I would skim through the long post.

With posts with many quotes, it shows that the person cares and took the time to quote others. Usually I read and see if whatever was quoted is something I feel strongly about or not.

I usually read posts that I agree with AND disagree with because when having an intelligent converstation, you've got to respond to others. So it makes sense for me to know what the other people are talking about or what their points are.

I read the first pages, and the most serious looking posts.

I definitely read the first page. I then skim the rest and read the last page to make sure we are still in the same area of discussion. In skipping over posts I pretty much follow the same regiment as krazy4kreacher. I skip colorful, silly looking, and one line posts. If it's a long post, it all depends on what the topic is. Sometimes I just don't have the time or patience to read through a topic that is 65 pages long.

i read the first page on the first observation. Then the last 2 pages before replying or adding my views. But if i had already posted there i go to my last post and read all the posts till the end

normally i read the first page to see how things started off & then the last to see where it ended . i usually read some to all in both pages . & i only skip post when they make no sense right away . i dont want to waste my time if they are going to be silly

I normally read the first post and then most of the posts on the last page or two. I'll definitely skip a couple posts on those last pages because some are just entirely too long to spend time reading just to get the gist of the convo.

-Nick
HJP

I always have a look to View New Posts, and if my usual topics or forums have new posts, I go there and read the last pages. I hate when I can't check it regularly and so have to read lots of pages, because I can't read all the posts and it's a shame to miss great discussions. That's a big problem, sometimes I don't post in a club because there were so many posts that it scares me
When I want to find out about a topic I've never been in, I tend to read the firsts posts to discover what's all about and the general ideas already expressed, then go to the lasts posts.

Generally when I first come across a new interesting topic I'll look at the very first post to get the a better idea of the intention of the thread if I'm unsure. Then, I'll skip to the last page and I'll look for any bolded questions or quotes within the last 10 posts and if there are none I'll just look at the very last post.