Rapid reading is definitely similiar to speed reading. But - the main difference is its place in the system. Never do it until you've done all of the previous steps.
Sometimes, you can just do photofocus/then rapid read on things like these BBS topics. However, on books and other long texts, never ever do rapid reading unless you've done all of the other steps, and can't quite place what else you want from the book.
At a time when you say, "I don't know what else I want to know, I just want to know more," that's the sign for rapid reading.
