Same here. I use that button over 95% of the time just to see if anything interesting is happening in other areas.
Somtimes people post things in sections where you would not normally look, like mispost if that is a good word for it. Everything recent shows up there.
New word:
Trollibyte - digitally enhanced grotesque supernatural humanoid creature who posts units of data usually inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community
I usually check the Class 5 thread 1st, then I go around and check threads I know I've posted in (esp. if I got a 'like'), then I hit the new posts button.
I just go to the pub (backstage) cause theres only so many threads that interest any one person, I'd say around 3% of anything in the Backstage I keep an eye on and about the same in other sections.
Hell, small site with light traffic. I can take my time and check things out the old fashioned way. Some of those other sites, you can ask a question and it's buried at the bottom of p.3 in 20 min before you even get a reply.