what is the point of yahoo points for questions?

Question

i enjoy answering and asking questions on this forum.
but what is the point in being given points?do you get a prize when you reach a certain number of points?if there is no reward,what,s the point people could still ask and answer questions...so why points?

Answer 1

Points.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgDAFSzPrNoX5Ppf8UhvfJ_sy6IX?qid=20060623130227AA23TkV

Answer 2

You don't get prizes - except for with this Ask the Planet thing going on right now. I think it's mostly psychological - don't you feel good getting points? :o) Also, it keeps people from just asking questions and never answering any. It costs 5 points to ask something, and you only get 2 to answer. So theoretically, you can't just get other people's knowledge without sharing some of your own. However, you start off with enough points to ask quite a few questions without ever answering any.

Answer 3

You have got to determine on 2 hundred facets an afternoon. And make an effort to reply questions so that you are going to get "excellent reply" 10-15% of the time. There's a process to this. But since that I began from 0 on July 12(after studying the WSJ article) and took two weeks off, and am now at degree five with three,000 facets to visit degree 6 (I'll be there in 10 days max), it isn't an amazing challenge.

Answer 4

Oh, it just adds interest to the forum I believe. However, without this system, spammers would have a really free opportunity to crowd this discussion board and take away some of the enjoyment from other people who sincerely like to talk.

Points are also pretty cool, not for your own ego I suppose, but they attract people such as myself, to scroll through others that are participating in this forum to view their other questions and answers and to learn of their thought process. It's also an opportunity to discuss things and issues not found in normal media.

I love hearing from people who have real life experiences and how they perceive things. It's enlightening and challenges our own perceptions of the world around us.

Points are pointless to some, while others want to get straight to the point with pointed questions.

Have a great day! :)

Answer 5

To encourage participation and reward great answers, Yahoo! Answers has a system of points and levels. The number of points you get depends on the specific action you take. The points table below summarizes the point values for different actions. While you can't use points to buy or redeem anything, they do allow everyone to recognize how active and helpful you've been. (And they give you another excuse to brag to your friends.)

Answer 6

I answer questions with out regards for points.

They mean absolutely nothing, except in bragging rights. Since I am not one to brag, nor boast, I am here simply to answer questions to the best of my ability and give a forthright, and honest opinion of what I can give to satisfy someones question that is put forth.

In all my life experiences, I draw upon, for answering the questions that are put forth. Either by teenagers, or adults. I try to be concise and accurate in all my answers, so that there is no room for mistakes.

I have recieved a few emails, berating my opinions, because they differ, from what those who ask, are looking for, but, I stand up to them with common sesnse approach, and if they are not satisfied, then there are others who give them the opinions that they are looking for, and some of them are just wanting poeple to agree with thier stand point, and confirm it.

I do neither! If I give an opinion, then its what I think is the best for that circumstance, and my evaluation of it.

Of course, you get the 'off the wall' questions, that are just silly in nature, for them that are trying to get five points for not having an answer that is suitable. Then, I will put in a "joke" and let them "know" that I thought it was a nonsensical question and my nonesensical answer is applied.

I wish you well..

Jesse

Answer 7

According the site there will be special yahoo "Thank you" awards of some sort. For me, that is of secondary consequence since I too enjoy answering for the sake of sharing knowledge, and the occassional use of humor. The points also lend a competitive aspect to it, so people driven by that will be compelled to answer more. Even if nothng is ever done with the points, they are clevel touch that can use basic human psychology to increase the amount of usage on this site.

Answer 8

i asked this same question upon discovering this place. apparently the points are just a way to hook you in. the more points you get the more answers you can give on a certain day. like if you are still on level 1 you can only answer so many in a day. but as you get more points you can answer more questions.

Answer 9

Ever seen that TV show who's line is it anyway?

They give points to the comedians that are ad libbing but they just don't matter.

It's just like that.


But I think it's a way for Yahoo to guage the strength of this site statistically. They can use the data for market research. If most of your points come from one category they can send you spam for stuff related to that topic.

Answer 10

Point systems rate things. In Yahoo's case, they could use it to identify very active accounts. If points were given for "good" answers, then you could also search for people who give "good" or at least popular answers.

I'm sure it's just for fun for now though. :-)

Answer 11

There will be some rewards later. Likely it just shows who's consistantly giving good answers and in what areas of knowledge.