Who else thinks the system for awarding Best Answer stinks?

Question

Like, take the question given at the bottom as an example. I give the only correct answer, but the poster is too lazy to cast a vote. I'm out of town on Thanksgiving holiday, so I don't vote. Instead, some guy who gave an obviously nonsensical answer decides to vote for himself, and he gets Best Answer.

OK, I'm through venting. If you have your own example on getting scammed this way, post the link. I'll award 10 points to the one I like best.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkOQinEDrV0Kka.LZV80nFTsy6IX?qid=20061121160310AAevwjY

Answer 1

I thoroughly agree.
p.s. I saw that question and was one of the two to vote thumbs up for your answer. (maybe the thumbs-ups should translate to votes?)
A couple of recent ones that affected me:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgSxf18Kyry21mXE9W3mivnsy6IX?qid=20061121225303AAupl0v
(This answer was chosen as best by a non-thinking asker. That of course was his prerogative. Nothing anyone can do about that.)
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ah_b1i5ihKrm77oz3vb9mqfsy6IX?qid=20061112192033AAqkpJu
(This answer was chosen by votes. Why is anyone's guess. I suspect that the person has friends or multiple accounts and gets votes for himself many times. Often when a question goes to vote, the first person to answer wins from others who vote just to gain points. Choosing the first answer is quickest to amass points without even reading the answers. In this case however, I was first and he still won without even giving a solution!) Voting for oneself should be banned. Of course most people are going to think theirs is the best answer. Also, they give you a point for a thumbs-up for your best answer. I think that after the question has been decided anyone's answer that receives a thumb's-up should get a point. (with one thumbs-up per voter per question after the decision)

Oh yea, heres one from someone who had some sort of beef with me. I gave the only correct answer out of six.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqwNjAAr8lnv5i0CeBIzXiDsy6IX?qid=20061111203350AAHwwwN
It seems obvious to me that this person has been cheating. He won every answer that went to a vote, even ridiculous answers, by 6 or 7 votes. No asker chose any of his answers.

Please see also
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArM9MVchuu7R4STVKXzi5zXsy6IX?qid=20061113101829AAWjtj1

p.p.s. From whence comes your nickname? I am reminded of the Outer Limits episode "The Zanti Misfits".

I wonder if anyone who voted thumbs down for this has the guts to email me and tell me why. I doubt it, as they have no fortitude.

Answer 2

I agree that it could be improved... sometimes some really odd answers get chosen as "best" by the voters. The people who actually answer the questions sometimes pick some interesting answers too, though. Take this one for example:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlVF83h83YUE5qDgnZjue0fsy6IX?qid=20061117161024AANmW9s

There were a ton of helpful answers that gave multiplication tips and tricks to make the problem easier, but the "best answer" was just someone saying 'im stupid.' Not worth 10 points, that's for sure.

Answer 3

I don't think that you can vote for yourself. I also think that many times there are few or no votes. I once got the best answer for a joking reply!

I gave a very wrong answer once and got hit with 5 down votes: ouch!

I also got flagged for what I thought was a humorous reply but...

Answer 4

ok properly ima huge miley fan and that i no tht it wasnt her best performance. yet u might want to provide her some credit for operating, jumping and making a music collectively. plus, if u watch the miley and mandy teach, she says she has allergies and u can listen it in her voice. she benefits some respect for no longer lip syncing. i love miley and individuals might want to end dropping their time hating on her!!! <33 miley fan always

Answer 5

I agree. Also, what if you asked the question and there is no best answer? Then what?