From the first post shown: khandu 05 May 03 - 08:31 PM, which may or may not be the actual first post.

352 pages

1,573 days

~17,600 posts

11.19 posts per day

I have measured a typical 10 sec per page to load with my very slow connection. A randomized load of 15 pages shows the load time to be very consistent, indicating that there are not large numbers of long posts.

(A few other pages with actual meaningful content approach 20 – 25 seconds per page to load with my connection.)

I would expect to be able to load all pages and copy/paste to an on-machine document in less than 2 hours, although my connnection is susceptible to occasional interrupts so it could take a bit longer. A full download of the entire thread in a single connect probably would be slightly faster, but could be a burden on traffic capacity for the 'cat.

With ALL of MOABS loaded on-machine, I have observed that a thorough and careful ready of material containing complex and thought-provoking contents from other threads at mudcat generally can be accomplished a the rate of about 200 posts per hour.

From the randomized downloads used to verify consistency of page content within MOABS, and based on sampling of the level of complexity in the samples, I would estimate that a rate of approximately 700 posts per hour is an easily attainable reading speed, at the level of recognizing whether any of the material is of sufficient interest that it might deserve retention or comment.

This gives a total reading time of barely over 25 hours, assuming that there is any content interesting enough to justify more than the first 25 minutes, and not allowing time-outs for potty breaks, beer runs, or making coffee.

Having worked in several large corporations for multiple decades, I am reasonably innured to "communications-lacking-content" and would not expect to suffer "total brain rot" from the drivel in the threads, and might expect to sustain the estimated reading speed for the duration required for complete processing in the estimated time.

Persons not professionally trained in handling idiocy and banality should apply a factor of at least 3x to (for real amateurs) 10x to estimate their own schedule requirements.

As I did actually read all of the first 700 or so posts some time ago when the thread was at that length, rates cited above are supportable. From the prior reading, I could discard the first 140 pages should I wish to just catch up to the conversation in the thread. I have checked in my usual note repository and could quickly review the two "thoughts worth noting" from the prior reading. I have also checked in to read "last pages" occasionally, so I am aware of the general tone and content of later postings.

In short, if someone feels the need, or merely the urge, to read it all as quickly as possible (recommended), the span of a single day could be sufficient, or for a more leisurely approach (which unfortunately prolongs the agony) a total elapsed time of a day or two, spread over a few days, would be more than sufficient.

This is not a project to take up on a day when there just isn't anything else to do (IMO).

This is a project to take up when all other alternative activities are so distasteful that it just isn't humane to be forced to process them. AFTER you've read all of MOABS, they'll seem a lot more manageable, even though your mental processes and ability to do so may be lessened by the reading.

John