Should Yahoo! deduct 50 points from users account for violating Answers code of conduct?

Considering the tripe that some posters insist on asking just to stir trouble & for shock value, i do think 50 points deduction makes sense. Especially since there are kids who also use this site.

On the other hand, it really wouldn't make a whit of a difference as most of the trolls don't really care about points, they have plenty of accounts where they shore up points to massage their oversize egos. Worse, some of them are weird enough to view a violation as some kind of attention that they crave.

Methinks a kind of naming & shaming wherein the avatar would automatically get a dunce cap ...would be more effective.

Thanks Dad.

I wouldn't really mind how many points were deducted if they would just have a dialog with the "offender" about why the question or answer was deleted. I have had a couple deleted and I genuinely did not understand how they were in violation. I was just given automated answers to my emails and more points deducted even though I only asked questions, I did not want a dispute mind you, I specified that in my email, I just wanted questions answered. I never got any answers to any of my questions.

I guess after thinking about it, I would have to say that if things stay as they are, then 50 points (or even the 10 points now deducted) being deducted is a terrible thing. If actual people had actual communication with the person they are going to deduct 50 points from was a reality, then it might be ok. As long as the person is given a fair explanation, not an automated form letter, it might not be a terrible thing. The system as it is, is very frustrating to say the least.

I also think that the number of points deducted should be related to what was reported. Is it a PETA affiliated website within an answer that somehow offended someone enough to report the answer, or is it a vicious threat to someone's life? Should both be deducted 50 points? Is the first one even a violation? The second one clearly is, but we'll never know about the first one because questions asked to the Y!A powers that be ironically are never answered...

Thanks for asking the question. I'm finding the answers to be very interesting. It seems that the method of "punishment" for inappropriate questions and answers might need to be thought about quite a bit and revised.

I respectfully submit that:

It will not matter to most, the points are pointless.

(It will, however, generate even more resentment towards Yahoo!)

The "points" can not be spent, bartered or used in any way,

meaningful or otherwise.

I find it interesting that you think there are not sufficient

"punishments" in place now...

After all, it is ANOTHER 10 point to challenge a VN and lose...

Which is a foregone conclusion, in most -if not all- cases.

This question does however, pose an interesting idea...

and generates another in my mind...

Should then RTs receive equal deductions from their points for malicious reporting, stalking, etc? For harassment, say?

How about stalkers trolls, etc. who target an account for a grudge?

Oh, that's right! They don't have "points" to speak of in the FIRST place!

They create accounts for the purpose of harassment.They know those accounts will be summarily deleted. My bad.

Should then -as the TRs do- all like-minded members create a second account for the purpose of sending the trolls back to whence they came?

I think vindictive reporting -under ANY banner- is wrong.

People who pose threats to children -or post illegal entries-

should indeed be reported.

All else is a matter of taste.

"Go AROUND" seems to me to be excellent advice,

and much! less time-consuming. For ALL.

Respectfully submitted.

The penalties make it a fun site. The worse or more daringly rude an answer is without getting a 10 point fine or Account banned the better. Eventaully when the account does get banned then the troller simply starts a new one.

No, it used to deduct 10 points every time Yahoo removed one of your questions. Now its only 2. So its actually better oh never mind I read it wrong. We get points deleted for answering someone elses deleted question? That's dumb I haven't read anything about that yet

First of all i feel this question was sent deliberitely to me as the community guidelines screen popped up on me after a question i asked. I did not use any cuss words or offend anyone thru my question unless they were part of the UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT OR A HACKER. THIS CAN BE PROVED BY REVIEWING MY PREVIOUS ANSWERS (a thing yahoo staff & community members can do).

Not only do i gain knowledge thru this site by asking but HELP others sincerely gain too!!

It takes so long to get points, i do not care if you deduct points.That happens anyway even if one follows the rules.

Do what ya gotta do.

It's a good idea in some ways, Dad, but it could present problems as far as malicious reporting is concerned. Also I think that the hard core of serial abusers wouldn't care: to them a VN, like an ASBO, is a badge of honour.

I rather like Faith's suggestion, lol! I can think of a few who would throw their toys out of the cot if they were awarded a dunce's cap! Failing that, some sort of annotation on their avatars would be a positive thing.

NO it shouldn't. If you ask me, I say Yahoo shouldn't deduct any answers and delete their own violation terms. This is a free country, and we are protected by the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The internet is yet another place where we can express our true opinions and values, and no one should take that away from us. If you don't like an answer, give it a thumbs down and deal with it. I've gotten many answers deleted just because someone disagrees with me and reports "abuse". We should be able to say what we want without "fear" of being reported. The only exception I make to this issue is if the answer contains a real death threat that can seriously provoke danger to someone. Otherwise we should be allowed to say whatever the hell we want, when we want, and to whomever we want. And before you give me that thumbs down or report me, go read the Bill of Rights and try to convince me that what I'm talking about is "abusive".

Hi Dad, thanks for asking.

however I feel your question would be better asked here for best response and also avoiding the violation of posting in the wrong category:

http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/;_ylt=As7RgchsH4X0NDB...

No I think losing 50 points is a bit harsh for those good users that are wrongfully reported, and there are many of them.

Also there are a lot of users who dont care about points, they are the ones that need "punishment" but deducting points or even suspending their accounts wont stop them.

Why the hell does it matter. I have had 3 accounts deleted already because i say what i have to say. If people ask stupid a*s questions then have a right for stupid a*s answers. Plus evne though there are terms and conditions to follow there should still be some freedom of speech. Some people need some real help and the only to give it to them is through harsh actually truth.