Do you read the entire thread before replying?

[~Master~ Button Mash 2,307]

I try to read at least the first two pages, as well as the last two pages, before making a post. That is, if it's a thread that long. If it's a 2-3 page thread (depending on subject), I'll try and read every post. However, the more posts there are, and if they become too wall-ish, the more that "detailed reading" will become like a skim.

Edited January 6, 2013 by StratoPegasus

[Zarathelycan123 9]

I read the first page (sometimes the second depending on how interesting the topic is) and then i will go to the last page read all of them, then I will make my post, and read all posts after mine.

Edited January 6, 2013 by Zarathelycan123

[Cowl 128]

I tend to read the entire thread before posting if the total length is less than 5 pages. If its longer than that I read the first 2 pages and the last 2 pages before posting to check that the thread is still on topic and not on some tangent.

Edited January 6, 2013 by Cowl

[PoisonClaw 8,164]

I tend to skim threads rather than read every post, especially if the thread is more than four or five pages long. Basically I just read enough so I have a general idea of what's been said, what's going on, and if anyone has already said word for word what I was already going to say (which happens way more often than you would believe).

[Evilshy 5,090]

If its a discussion, I read it all.

When it's a thread like this, where OP asks a simple question and people give simple answers, I'll still usually read all of them, but I'll skim some if the thread is too long.

If a thread is reeeeeaaaaaalllllly long, like a new episode discussion thread, I generally won't read the whole thing.

 

Whenever I post without reading/skimming everything, I apologize for it.

[SunnyAmbience 7]

I skim through all of the thread, before i post. Certain times I don't depends if its 500 pages long, skimming is the only option. If it's not omega huge I will read all the posts.

[The Original 571]

...no...but i have to take the time to type this out, you know why? Well i can't say why, because if i do, this tiny box of text you see? Poof

[moneyshredderofdeath 414]

I usually go through the entire thread, provided that it's no more than eight pages. If there's a decent discussion going on I don't want to skip through it.

[Nohbdy 4,108]

If it's two pages or fewer, then I read the whole thread. Otherwise, I read the first few pages and the last few pages. The first few because it gives me a general idea of what the thread is about, and the last few to make sure what I say isn't a repeat of a recent post. Any quotes or brohoofs I give will usually be in these two areas.

 

That said, I usually hesitate to reply to a long thread unless I find it sufficiently interesting. Few people will take the time to read posts past the second page, and someone will usually have posted my thoughts already.

[Radiance64 7,053]

Usually just the OP, otherwise, not usually... I like to voice my opinion on something without having it influenced by others'. So yeah, unless the thread is a really interesting topic to me, or an episode thread, or I've been mentioned/quoted, or see a bunch of posts by people I know really well, not usually, no.

[flimflam 18]

I usually just skim through if it's 5-10 pages if it's any longer, I read the first and last pages, then reply. If its up to five, I thoroughly read the whole thing.

[Kamil 315]

No, I do not read the entire thread before posting a reply; at least not for things like this where the OP just has a question and I already have an answer.

 

Also, First! (to the extent of my knowledge).

[Abstract 832]

Generally, I will read the first few posts and skim through the rest on a page, unless the discussion is incredibly interesting/it is necessary to read each post to not be lost. My ADD strikes again everytime.

Edited January 8, 2013 by Abstract

[Creamy Arty 6,252]

Most of the time. Depends on the length of the thread. If it's over 15 pages, I'll look at the first five and the last five. If it's around 15 or less I'll read through the whole thing, even if it takes a dreadfully long time. I read so much because I want to know what people are thinking, and even if it seems like everyone is thinking the same thing, I would feel bad skipping their posts after they went through the trouble of making them.

 

 

If somebody has already posted my thoughts, I'll make my post anyway, but I'll usually include a little something in the beginning that acknowledges that others have said the same before me just so people know that I bothered to read the thread. If I didn't post just because somebody had already expressed what I came to say then half the time I wouldn't be able to participate. Whether or not somebody takes the time to read my posts is their concern, not mine.

[Mortimer 332]

Weeeell, it deppends. I always the very first few posts after the introductory one, but then i just glance at the other, catching loose words, then i reply.

However, if there are walls of text, i don't even care in looking at them and i go straight for the reply.

[hawkflame 3,310]

It depends on the thread, both the length of the thread and what the thread is about.  Generally speaking, if it's more than 4 pages, I read a couple of pages and then skim. 

 

It also depends on what the thread's about.  If it's just a general question thread where people are asked to weigh in with their opinions/answers (like this one) then I skim regardless of length.  I don't need to read other people's answers on whether or not they read the entire thread in order to properly post my own response.

[A Jewel of Rarity 207]

depends on how long it is if its is 2 paragraphs ill read it but if its more id probably skip or skim it admit it you have done it every now and again 

[Wubsie 1,123]

I do every once in a while. Just to get a feel of the thread and how people are generally reacting to it. Especially if it's an important thread.

Like if there was a JB thread and there were a whole bunch of fangirls there, I would evacuate the premises.

[Rolls Royce 606]

I do sometimes.  Most of the time, I just read the most recent page or two before I post, sometimes I even skim.  It just depends on the thread and the length of it.

[Stellafera 3,836]

I always carefully read every single post in a thread before replying, of course. That's why I am absolutely sure that nobody else before me has posted a reply in this manner and that nobody else has made this sort of joke either. 

 

More seriously, I admit to skipping sometimes. I often jump around weirdly. Read the last three pages, then page 1, then page 7, or something like that. I backtrack or go forward if I'm intrigued. 

[Lateon 589]

I'll tell you what I did with this thread, which is what I usually do with other threads.

 

If I wish to post in the thread, I first...

 

- Read the OP, to figure out what the hell people are talking about

- Read the first or second page, to gauge peoples' responses to the topic

- If it's a long thread, I then read the last couple of pages to see how the thread has changed.

 

Then I post.

Then I go back and read the thread in its entirety...sometimes.

 

Edit: 

If it's just a general question thread where people are asked to weigh in with their opinions/answers (like this one) then I skim regardless of length.

 

 

 

Basically this, as well. Already found something I could have mentioned if I had read the whole thread.

Edited January 10, 2013 by HandMan

[Zalgo 593]

Most of the time, yes. (Unless it's 65 pages long )

 

 

However, if it's a question thread like:

"What's your favorite movie series?"

Or this thread, I usually make my post only after reading the first post, then I read other people's posts.

[Nightmare Tsubasa 25]

No.    Some forums are really long... unless the thread was very interesting. But for the most part I don't. I just read a few posts here and there and then post.

[Gigachip 148]

If its around 2-3 pages, I'll make the effort to read through every post. Anymore I just jump to the 1st page, and then the last to get an idea of where the topic is.

[Xalder 30]

It depends on the topic. For this one I'm assuming most people are simply going to respond to the first post, or simply the title of the thread. I read the OP in topics such as this one, and some of the first few posts before I skip to make my own.

 

In some threads I'll make sure to read as much as I can before posting...

 

Of course I'm more used to a forum where I know most of the members of the community so I want to read more and get an idea of what all my friends think. I haven't made friends here quite yet so... 

 

I mean here it doesn't seem like it'll be as easy to start making friends with members of the community unless you find a particular section you like to post in, but I sort of like to post in any section that has a thread with a title that interests me. 

 

Though I seem to have lost track of the topic. ^^ Short answer: Depends on the forum, depends on the topic, depends on my own mood.