Why do they dock me 5 points to ask a question?

It provides you with incentive to answer.

...And so it grows, the inescapable internet void known as Yahoo! Answers.

Will it consume all our thoughts? I doubt it an issue of capacity, more or less it be time.

Time - Enjoy it while you are here...

Because that is simply what it costs to ask a question here. Be glad. On some information sites, it costs real cash to ask a question. Granted, the answers are usually better when you pay cash for them. Here, all it costs is points.

When you signed up to use this site, you agreed to follow its rules. That's one of them. It costs 5 points to ask a question. Using the archives is free, however. This isn't a chat room, it's an information exchange site. You really should only be asking a question because there is something you want to know and can't find out any other way. If you are just looking to talk to or get some response from other people, this is not the place for it.

Before you ask a question of your own, check the archives to see if it has already been asked. If it has, you get the answer instantly and do not have to spend your points to get it. To use the archives, type your question in the box next to the Search Y!Answers button and click the button.

If you choose a Best Answer to your question (come back after it's been open an hour, and you'll see how) you get 3 of your points back.

Under the ABOUT tab at the top of the page, you'll see a link to the Points & Levels page. Go have a look. It's short and well worth reading. It's also free, unlike asking questions about it.

It's just the set up you get 3 back when you choose best answer.Answer a couple more questions, 2 points for each and you're ahead of the game. It's to encourage you to participate. and cut back on spam It is really no big deal everyone has to go through it. It gets better so hang in there. To check the complete setup and privileges:

http://answers.yahoo.com/info/scoring_system;_ylt=...

You're "paying" for the expertise of the answerers.

If you pick a Best Answer you get three points back, so you're really only be docked 2 points per question.

:o)