I'm curious, as I notice that when I look in my "unread topics" section, certain titles catch my attention, while others, I won't even click. I've also noticed from my own blog that some topics get a lot of traffic, while others get hardly any views.

For me, I tend to click on topics if the starter/last poster is someone I am familiar with. Or ones that look like they might end up being controversial lol (I know it's so wrong). Or, if it seems like something I can help someone with.

So what about everyone else? How do you decide which topics to read and which to ignore?

Hmmm, that's an interesting question.  Honestly, I think it's easier for me to tell you what doesn't draw me to a thread based upon where I am at in my own transition and life (which isn't far), and this might make me sound like a douchebag, but I usually ignore 99% of "T" or hormone threads. I ignore 90% of top surgery/transition threads.  I have the Mtf board completely on ignore.  I ignore some questions that get asked over and over again.  I ignore the majority of coming out threads because the positive ones where it seems like the majority of people support them triggers me to no end.  I also tend stay away from deep threads with long paragraphs because I simply can't understand a lot of it and it's deep for me.

Outside of the most popular general threads, the Christianity section, my blog, and the FtM thread at times, I don't post much so I just kind of ignore most threads.  I also try to be careful in picking what I respond to now because of the broken keys on my laptop and it takes a lot out of my fingers to type now.

just have mal do a post and your sure to get his subjects to follow xD

Quote from: birkin on June 04, 2014, 06:53:15 PM
I'm curious, as I notice that when I look in my "unread topics" section, certain titles catch my attention, while others, I won't even click. I've also noticed from my own blog that some topics get a lot of traffic, while others get hardly any views.

For me, I tend to click on topics if the starter/last poster is someone I am familiar with. Or ones that look like they might end up being controversial lol (I know it's so wrong). Or, if it seems like something I can help someone with.

So what about everyone else? How do you decide which topics to read and which to ignore?

"if the starter/last poster is someone I am familiar with" me to.

I also like to, visit introductions.
At least look at cries for help, to see if i'm equipped to deal with the situation and be of any help.
love any fun seeming thread, its good to visit those a good or bad joke can help ease a bitter day into a better day.
And generally if the title seems like I can give some advice ill click.

Also I have my fave threads, but Im one to just refresh the recent topics list.

Like a headline of a newspaper the "subject" is what grabs my attention or the introductions when I notice them, (nice to see who someone is). Now do I post is the subject relevant to me or do I have something useful to say even if it is just enforcing someones previous post. I also have people I have seen and enjoyed reading before so if I've noticed they have posted something I will read the thread

If I see a thread posted by someone I like, I am much more apt to read it. If I see a subject that interests me I am much more likely to read it, if it is a subject I think I can be helpful in I am very likely to read it.

tbh if there is a post about subjects I don't like or don't care about (i.e. sports, detransition) I will not even bother reading it at all, no matter how many responses it gets by others.

Also anyone who posts anything related to my region I almost always read.

Well usually something that I can answer to... If the thread is about HRT changes, I can't answer anything since I'm not on hormones yes 

Sometimes it looks intriguing, sometimes it looks like I might have something to add, and sometimes I'm just bored or procrastinating.

For me it just clicks an intrest. Tho I must admit if it sounds like ohh poor me I tend to ignore it. Sorry but drama belongs on the TV or at the movies.

I'll click if the subject matter looks interesting, no matter what board it's on. I mostly frequent the FtM, Transsexual, Transgender and General boards, and will occasionally dabble in a few of the others. I tend to generally avoid the MtF board due to triggers, unless there's a relevant topic - and I must say I've always been made to feel welcome there.

What I won't click on, though, is threads that have a non-descriptive subject such as 'I have a question'. I also avoid threads posted by certain people, to be honest - or ones that I suspect are going to degenerate into arguments.

I'm also likely to click off a thread and stop reading if the first post turns out to be a 22-page essay of a person's entire life story. That's more of a blog post than a forum question, IMHO.

I will browse through the Recent Topics list and pick what strikes my fancy.  Often I will go after threads that have few replys.  I have some idea of who the older MtF transitioners are, and I will look at their posts.

Each of us does this differently.


Erin

Quote from: Jill F on June 04, 2014, 09:55:40 PM
Sometimes it looks intriguing, sometimes it looks like I might have something to add, and sometimes I'm just bored or procrastinating.

This.

What drew me to this thread? I was curious what draws others to threads. And I was wasting time before I head out the door to go to work.

The Title...

Everything and nothing. I suspect Jill  has it right. One thing I will not read is a long wall of text. Especially the one ones with no punctuation, capitals, paragraphs, etc. I've tried so many times, but that isn't reading it is just gibberish. I read constantly, and that I cannot do.

The only threads I tend not to read are ones asking how someone looks, or how well they will pass, or something along those lines. Mostly because I'm horrible at even attempting to assess such a subjective thing, and am far more critical than I would otherwise be.

As far as other threads go, I read most things, even things I know will be triggering for me, but say very little. Probably because by nature I tend to be a watcher rather than a speaker.

If the subject is something I might know something about, something I want to know about myself, or sounds interesting, I'll take a look at it if I see it.