Does anyone (besides Yahoo) think their "POINT" system is fair or even needed? Just Help one another!

I have to say I'm pretty much in agreement. It don't know if it was Y!A's intent for the points becoming soooo darn important to people that they give non-answers, rude, nasty answers, or plain don't care if they answer the question, just as long as they get points. And for what? Basically nothing. I try to answer without getting mad at some of the ridiculous questions. Part of the problem, I think, is that I get the feeling the average age, at least for a number of the categories, is VERY young and getting younger, so there could be a maturity level (I'm not meaning this in a derragatory way at all), may lend to the importance of the "game" rather than what I think the goal was/is, and that's to help people. So each individual has to get from it what they can, and focus on the areas or categories that they can be most helpful in, or it it's more for points, if that's their thing.

I haven't checked them all out, but the Askville Q&A site gives points, but it seems to be a more mature, truely informational site. I'm still just feeling my way around, and it's a little tricky at first, but I don't see the bickering and complaining and negativity I see here so much, and I haven't seen any insulting, mean spirited, point gaming or any of that there either. I also haven't seen a single question like "Am I cute?", "What should I have for dinner?", "Do you pick your nose?" , "What should I Wear?" etc. that is so prevalent here. And there's also a discussion tab with each question. Even though each question is limited to 5 answers, you can answer in the discussion portion and still be helpful AND have the freedom to comment and discuss the topic.

Uh, I dont think anyone is stopping you from helping anyone with the point system. Just answer questions and ignore the Points and Best Answer stuff altogether if you just want to help people are arent worried about it. There, problem solved without getting overly upset about it. Best of luck.

The points are an incentive to keep most people interested. I know I like getting them.

There are a lot of people who point game and provide useless answers.

I think my effort to answer this question is worth 2 points, and that I am giving you a good answer.

I have never really thought about it. But i dont have time to just sit around all day and answer a ton of questions. All though I am knowledgeable in many subjects. But how else would they keep up with the top contributors?

Nobody in the world know all the answers and I don't consider it a competition at all just one person helping another person.