I don't like repeating what other posters say so I'm careful to try to read through a thread before I post a response so I don't end up repeating something that was already said and because it's interesting to read others thoughts on the same subject. :)
What I do and what I say are two different matters entirely.

I read all of it if there are less than ten replies but, if there are thirty, I may just answer after ten.

I prefer to try to read through every post, but I just don't have that much spare time on a regular basis. Most of the time I rapidly scan them all, stopping to read a number of them more closely.
Lynn

I can skim pretty fast through a long thread ; I do notice though that at least half the responders don't; sometimes there's a little gem of a comment or a joke half way through the thread and it does not get addressed.

The voting threads are usually pretty cut and dry.

I have to admit I am rather fond of threads that veer off track ; if I revisit a thread that has grown over 30 responses and they are still discussing the initial topic, I tend to let it go, since pretty much everything's been said on that topic.

Mitch-I've noticed that some posters don't as well.

I only read what lynn and mitch say then I post anything contrary to their ideas just to shake up the post :oP

This is an interesting topic in that many of us seem to view these things differently. I don't always approach threads in the same way. Overall, I like to read the opening post and then see what I think and where my own mind goes, whether I respond or not. If it's long or vague, I may look for additional info in other posts from the op, but do so very quickly to avoid anything else. If I want to respond but think my input might not go over well for some reason, I might look to see if anyone has already broken ground on something before jumping into some cold, deep, murky water all by myself I don't think there's anything wrong with repeating. That's useful info for the OP, as well. Kind of like voting or validation. I also love when things don't stay on track, as in real life conversations or brainstorming. And unless it's clearly just a Show & Tell or someone has stated they aren't interested in any other input, I think it's also useful for the OP to hear other people's thoughts, overall, if there's something outside of the question that strikes them for some reason. It has always seemed to me that most of the op's enjoy and appreciate any other ideas. (Withstanding rude, harsh, or simply critical comments, of course. Those are not useful at all to anyone but the poster.)

I don't think it's good to criticize or degrade others' topics or posting styles. This comes up periodically, and I've been shocked at some of the beefs. I think it's counterproductive. Whatever someone wants to talk about, needs help with, or feels might make a contribution in some way, is what makes the board go round, imo. Making others feel uncomfortable about their posts or joining in changes the natural dynamic of the board and the individuality of its contributors because most of us are here to learn and/or help, in something we all are interested in, not to irritate or offend.

There's a lot of variety in how people feel about decor and in what they're seeking when coming here. How much can one learn or accomplish in a restrained environment?

"There's a lot of variety in how people feel about decor and in what they're seeking when coming here. How much can one learn or accomplish in a restrained environment?"

So wise and so true, squirrel.

To answer the question, I read a whole thread, top to bottom before responding. Maybe sometimes I even need to read some posts, parts twice. When I commit, I commit! lol! :~D I need to do that in order to craft a response that's at least somewhat meaningful - I'm not a gifted *skimmer*.

at last , the truth has come out; I won't feel so persecuted now, lol.........
and to think I was just about to post my new decor pictures in a few weeks.

Rethinking strategy now; how would "thisisnotmitchdesj" go as a new username?

Rethinking strategy now; how would "thisisnotmitchdesj" go as a new username?

I think you're good. No one will know. The fancy IP lookin' up stuff might *get ya* some how but surely that super clever name won't be what outs you.

Can you post from Big D, so we won't be able to guess? ;-)

"and to think I was just about to post my new decor pictures in a few weeks."

Bout time. :)

Seems like I've been waiting (not too patiently) forever.

I mostly read everything. Sometimes, when I get distracted by real life, I miss a twist or turn in a thread and reply with something that either makes no sense or is accidently offensive. I did that yesterday and offended Lucille without even realizing it. (Sorry again, Lucille.)

By nature, I'm pretty easy going and know I do not have any magic answers for anything.

I usually read pretty carefully and then I get to a post by Les917 and see that she has addressed whatever issue in a far clearer, precise, and helpful manner than I ever could :-)
Truly, I think her advice is priceless.

For voting type threads I just thow out my opinion; maybe scan a few of the answers.

If it's something I'm really interested in I'll read it thoroughly, but I'm not one who can come up with brilliant decorating ideas just off the top of my head. I'll find myself a week later lying in bed thinking, "what she really needs is a sofa in a different color and a larger picture over the fireplace" - by which time the post is on page 47.

Like golddust, I don't feel like I have the magic answers to anything - which explains why I don't post much!

I wondered if I was the only one that didn't read absolutely every post to the end everytime, now I know.

I like to read the whole thread before I post so as to not be overly redundant, although it usually takes me so long to type my response that a couple more will sneak in before me. It's not so much that I'm a slow typer, but more that my boys are constantly shouting things like "L keeps hitting me" or "T's head is stuck in the bannister." Off to grab the Crisco ;P

I do read everyone's responses before posting my own.
How many postings have we seen where in the middle of the responses there is "I didn't have time to read everyone else's answers, but I think the solutions is to [whatever]," when somebody up higher has already suggested that.
To me, it's just disrespectful.

Think about it this way: We are having conversations here. Now picture yourself out to lunch with a handful of friends, trading opinions. But you are zoning out, thinking about your grocery list, checking out the dessert at the next table. Then you make a contribution to the conversation--the same contribution that one of your friends made 10 minutes earlier. What you've basically done is tell that friend that she wasn't worth your time to listen to, that you really don't value that person.

Now I know many of you wouldn't do that in person, yet we do it on these boards, just because it's a "virtual" acquaintance? (I'm sure there've been studies into the things we dare say to online acquaintances but would never, ever say to someone's face.)

(And I think everybody is strapped for time, so that's really not an excuse, IMHO.)

I think it's slightly different if someone here has posted a question asking if she should rip out her powder room's tile floor (just an example! OP of that, don't get upset!)--then she's really looking to see how the yes/no votes stack up.

I read all the posts in a thread for multiple reasons. If it's not just a simple "vote for" thread I don't want to repeat something already said should I decide to respond, there can be some very funny stuff written - some intentional, some not meant to be funny but still strikes me that way, and I because I often learn something by reading the various viewpoints.

If I may digress a bit, and this will only make sense to those who read all the posts so let that be a lesson to you -
I'm truly sorry to read about your past difficult situation. I want to give you credit for seeing the humor intended in the particular thread that it was mentioned. Here's to you and your ability to heal and not make everything that happens an assault on you.

If I have some time, and am just messing around on GW, I will read all the posts.........unless there are dozens. In that case, I will read some carefully, some skim. And even if I skim, I will also read the last couple to see if the whole thing got off track. Usually, I won't post on a 'voting' post, unless I can do it right near the beginning. I'm as fickle as the next girl and don't want to let Pammyfay or Postum sway me.

If I didn't read every word, I am not about to say so. That would hurt my feelings if someone said it to me, and it would hurt others, that they didn't count. I do skim quite fast and feel that when I've posted, I'm really not missing anything. Once or twice, since I've been on GardenWeb, I've written the naughty words......"I didn't have time to read every post but........." Both times, I felt bad after. It's like when you say something tacky about a friend, and even if you don't think she will find out, your words are still out there.

Red

One might also ask 'How much of a thread do you actually retain before you respond? The threads are ongoing and someone may just forget what they read three days ago. Three minutes ago, for that matter! I don't re-read the whole thread again. I always start at the bottom, scroll up to where I left off, and see what's been added.

It's interesting to hear different peoples view points on this as Squirrel said.

It was nice to learn I wasn't the only guilty one who didn't always read through the long threads, usually more on "vote" or "What is your favorite..." type of threads, but I agree with pammyfay, it's not an excuse and is disrespectful.

Hhireno-thank you, but it was in very poor taste on my part, as I'm sure others would agree with me and I shouldn't have said anything. That wasn't the intention for this thread, I was more curious than anything else.

Squirrel- I agree, threads do move at different rates and I do find myself going back to a thread and having to pick up from where I left off with my reading and sometimes rereading most of it just to remember the original subject matter, as threads do get off track at times.

I try to read the whole post (especially on the decorating side) because there is so much for me to learn in the following posts.

I at least skim the entire thread but I do make sure to keep a VERY careful eye for updates/clarifications from the OP. GW's kind enough to put the usernames at the left side of the page in a nice bright color so it's pretty easy to tell who wrote what. It really gets my undies in a tight pinchy twist when I've posted X, someone says "you should do Z", I clarify that Z is absolutely positively impossible by the current definition of reality, and then six more people go on to say that I really ought to do Z because they didn't bother reading past the original post. IMO it's not quite so bad if a potential responder doesn't read everyone else's followups, but not looking for further notes from the OP is rude as all get-out in my book. Or even worse, didn't actually READ the original post but just looked at the pictures... if I had a nickel for every time someone posted a picture with a crystal-clear statement of "this is NOT my decor, this is the house I just bought with the previous owner's stuff/this is an inspiration picture from a magazine/this is the chair I want to mooch from my sister/whatever" and at least one person has to chime in with "the couch doesn't go with the rug, paint the walls chartreuse and take down those ugly window treatments" I could treat myself to a very nice lunch.

Head, meet wall. Wall, this is head. Get acquainted.