Do you read very long forum messages?

ixthUA

In the past i used to write very long messages. Then i underwent a course of software development (programming) and it taught me that text should be as short as possible, while containing necessary information.
For computer, shorter code means faster execution.
For reader, shorter text means faster reading (poor forum moderators).
I noticed that some people naturally learn to shorten their messages, while others keep writing very long messages. Do you have a threshold after which you decide to skip a message in discussion?

FeedbackOnly

No

If it's too short people complain too .

Hapexamendios

tl;dr

spartaxoxo

Yes

It depends on how long is long though. Like if I have to do a lot of scrolling, I'm not reading all of that. But, if it's just a few paragraphs then I will. The formatting is also important. I won't read a wall of text.

CasgarTheSomnolent

Yes

I voted yes, but in reality, I typically just skip everything and tack my thoughts on to the thread based on the content of initial post. It depends on my mood.

I don't think computer code is really a great example, because computers aren't humans. I get the sentiment, though. I took technical writing in engineering school, and I remember them trying to drill the concept of "comprehensive and concise" into us.

Unfortunately, since then I have rarely found anyone that can do that, so I think it's actually a bit of a red herring. To me, there is only successful or unsuccessful communication. If everything that needs to be communicated is not communicated, it's a failure no matter how long or short the message is. Conciseness is only possible if you can actually communicate everything in a more efficient way. It doesn't mean short. If I send someone a short email or you leave short comments in your code, and the receiving person doesn't get everything you think they needed to know, then it's just bad communication.

With that in mind, especially as an engineer with over a dozen years of experience, I tend to write every damn thing I can think of in my initial volley. The alternative is going back and forth with someone trying to clarify this and that, and that leads to information chaos extremely quickly. And that can add up to millions of dollars of mistakes and wasted time; I've seen it. So, I err on the side of comprehensiveness first and foremost. Then, if I feel like it, I'll try to go back and see if I can make it more concise. However, humans don't process language like machines, especially since, even in text, it's necessary to communicate tone and emotion. So, whatever does the trick to best communicate to a human is what I do, whether it involves conversational style writing or reiteration or whatever. And I get it all out at once to minimize information transactions in order to minimize information loss.

I would say, honestly, a lawyer is going to know far better than a software developer, an engineering professor, and pretty much anyone else exactly what is "comprehensive and concise." Having worked with many of them on various contracts and agreements over the years, I have learned to write professionally more and more like one. In legal matters, there is only the exact right amount of words. Nothing left out, nothing ambiguous, nothing extra that's conflicting.

As for internet forums, eh, I say what's on my mind. I have no idea who will and won't read it or when they'll read it, so I see no reason to hold back. As you can see.

spartaxoxo

Yes

CasgarTheSomnolent wrote: »

As for internet forums, eh, I say what's on my mind. I have no idea who will and won't read it or when they'll read it, so I see no reason to hold back. As you can see.

Well, I read this whole post. It's a pretty good one. And also about the length where it still feels comfortable for me to read. When it gets significantly longer than this is when I check out.

I also have no problem writing long posts too. I don't expect a response if it gets too long. But sometimes you might as well go all out.

Dojohoda

Yes

Yes, but it has to be a topic that is relevant to my gameplay and a lot of them are.

Ezhh

It depends. I can usually tell from the title and first few lines if a post will be interesting for me to continue reading.

If it's poorly structured, repetitive, not punctuated to the point of it being annoying and so on, the odds of me reading more than a few lines drop, but if something is long because there are a lot of a relevant things to be said, then it's okay.

Vevvev

Yes

Only if it intrigues me, and it's not coming after me about something I said. Look, I know I'm not the brightest bulb out there but throwing a wall of text at me isn't the greatest way to change my mind or educate me. o_o

menedhyn

Yes

Yes, but it depends on who it is. Some folks have very sensible and interesting things to say.

fizl101

No

I've said no - but actually it depends.

If its well laid out and well thought out from the beginning I may continue reading. More than a 3 or 4 shortish paragraphs I will be looking for the TL:DR

If its a wall of text/rant/ramble and not cohesive it gets skipped

InaMoonlight

Yes

I'm addicted to reading, if I'm not reading one thing, I'm reading another, so doesn't really matter to me.

InaMoonlight

Yes

InaMoonlight wrote: »

I'm addicted to reading, if I'm not reading one thing, I'm reading another, so doesn't really matter to me.

Like seriously if my net goes down and I have no books, I start reading the contents of cleaning fluids, shampoo, processed foods with loooong lists of ingredients and decade old manuals for appliances I don't even own anymore

So PLEASE, don't skimp on your words for my sake!

bmnoble

Sometimes depends how well it written and if they seem to be making a good point. If it's a rant however I lose interest.

If I can't be bothered reading the full thing I respond based on the title of the thread, its not my fault if in paragraph 7 or so of their post they meant to talk about something completely different, if you can't get you point across early on, your going to lose your readers attention.

colossalvoids

Yes

Yeah but if it starts to derail a lot I might skip those unnecessary parts. Edge cases might be messages that are hugely misinformed/misinforming or simply trolling pieces.

I personally write a longer ones than I would in my native language to be understood easier here as my vocabulary is pretty limited.

LalMirchi

No

Unfortunately many posts are are wall of text. However when it's a subject I care about and the writer writes well I do read the entire post.

mocap

No

usually no, but if subject is important to me, then yes.

Forum is old type of conversation. Current generation prefer short&pointless answers like:
no
no, pls, no
no time to explain just no
etc

Beilin_Balreis_Colcan

ixthUA wrote: »

For computer, shorter code means faster execution.

No, not necessarily. I agree that natural language text should be concise but informative, but we can't apply the same rules to software code. I've seen way too many examples of short but inefficient code.

wheresbes

Yes

Yes, if it catches my interest, but usually, I skim read because I skim read everything since university times.

Hallothiel

Only if formatted properly.

I maybe old fashioned, but I like paragraphs. And decent punctuation.

Some long posts are extremely well-written & interesting. Some others could do with editing.

TheImperfect

It depends how interesting it is and what it's about. I skim or skip a fair few but do read others properly.

rauyran

Yes

Yes but only if there is punctuation and paragraph breaks.

Toxic_Hemlock

I know you didn't add it as an option, but it depends. If I have the time and the post is well written then yes.

But if I am in a hurry/doing something else or the post is mostly gibberish/ranting, I will skip it as I don't have enough years left in my life to waste reading the musings of some random angry/incomprehensible person on the net...

Edit: clarity

BretonMage

Another "it depends" here. I will read a long post if it contains a number of well-formatted and informative points on a topic that I am interested in. There have been a number of informative posts that function almost as well as articles on combat and gameplay tips that I really appreciate people taking the time to write. Of course, if it's a long post which elaborates on just a single point, I usually just skim through it or skip it.

Muttsmutt

Yes

read fasta, git gud

ArielSira

Yes

Yes because often it's a rant or some other entertaining issue. Popcorn time.

Danikat

Yes

Yes, but it depends on what it is.

If the first paragraph starts with "I want to explain why this would be a great thing for ESO. But first a bit about me so you understand. I first got a computer in 1993..." I'll skip ahead looking for the part where they actually get to the point and may or may not go back to read their life story later if I think it might be interesting or relevant in some way.

When I'm writing a long post I try to approach it like a short article: title which makes it clear what it's about, key point/s in the first sentence, main body below that and any background information at the bottom, then sum up with a question or something to encourage engagement.

I'll re-read it to cut out anything unnecessary or which could be said with fewer words, but aiming to maintain not just the key points but also the tone of the post, because that's also important for effective communication.

Tryxus

No

AcadianPaladin

No

I'd rather play than spend lotsa time on the forums so . . .

I pass on walls of text. If more detail is required, it should be optional paragraphs after the first paragraph that spells out the salient points.

I generally don't open threads if the title does not clearly get across what the thread is about (no clickbait please).

I don't vote in bias polls. Yes, No and Other are generally the best choices.

_Zathras_

Yes

ixthUA wrote: »

Do you have a threshold after which you decide to skip a message in discussion?

It depends.

I can usually weed out the intent and flavor of someone's message in the first paragraph. Then I'll do a quick scan top to bottom to see if the rest of the body should be read with more thought.

Some people here regularly post very thoughtful responses. Others not so much. After a while you can also figure out who those people are.

So, essentially it's a case by case basis. I don't immediately write off a post just because of length. That's a good way to miss some informative, and sometimes truly insightful communication.

DaiKahn

🟧 Other

It depends. If it has good formatting and isn't a dastardly wall of text, then yes, I will read it

A great example would be anything from @VaranisArano as this person formats correctly, has impeccable writing, and is a pleasure to read