I don't think it is a good idea, but I don't necessary think it is a bad idea either. It is just what it is.. it prevents mindless points giving, but it also prevents points being awarded justly. What I think is good about it, is that you are able to once again give those points if you return to the question a few days later. So it doesn't actually prevent you from awarding points if you feel it is deserved.

Answerbag must have put in this very annoying rule after much thought. It does irritate us when we can't rate any one user more than a fixed number of times a week. But in the absence of this rule, we will end up with people opening two accounts and rating one another any number of times to get to the top. We must put up with the inconveniences for the greater good of the of the site functioning satisfactorily.

No, it annoys me when you get that message grrrrrr

If the points meant something more than they do then I could see a point in the limitation but since they don't I see no point.

I don't like that rule at all. It makes me mad when someone answers my question and I can't give them points. Some people on AB have terrific answers and questions and it's not fair not to be able to reward them. It is true that people could open multiple accounts and give themselves points but so what. It's not like they are worth money or gifts. I think it takes the fun out of AB when you get that message that you have given too many points.

NO, I think it's stupid to allow us to ask 100 questions a day but only rate 1 person 25 times a week !!!! We have many great people who ask good questions and deserve to be given points, but because of this "head up it's ass" rule, the admin won't let us. They believe it to be favoritism, but I find it to be extremely hypocritical of them. The limits should be equalized, in all fairness to both questioner and answerer !!

I hate it when I am out of points for a dear feind and they have just contributed something that is most worthy of points. I'd love to see at least some discretion to award more than is normal. Perhaps it could be a privilege you win at a certain level. However, I think AB is right in having some limit. We don't want the site to devolve into a bunch of mutual admiration cliques where people collude to run each other into the points stratosphere. The present system makes us think a bit about whether to give points or not. That's good for the overall health of the site.

I think it is a good idea. A good number would move up in the rankings much faster (such as pointing themselves with two accounts) if limits weren't there. The small amount of value high ranking currently has would be diminished.

Yep. Limitations are good...they establish guidelines to work by and this lends to stability and security. It also encourages certain behaviors over others and affects strategies. For example, you will note that the absolute maximum points ANYONE can give is limited to +5 for questions and +6 for answers. Also, the most anybody can take away in DR's is -5. This cap applies no matter how high anybody goes on AB. Combined with the other rules, it limits the power any given person can have to UR or DR anybody else. It lends itself towards altering people's strategies as they move up in levels, because the higher they go, the more points they need to acheive the next level; which, if a person desires to keep making steady progress through the levels, encourages them to consider moderations for additional points. This encourages members to help maintain AB as a clean, streamlined website as a result. I could go on, but I think you'll see my point. As for moderations, I see by other comments that you are having difficulties with this. I can help you with your moderation strategy, if you wish. Let me know. I'll be glad to help you improve your moderation score.

It's a very good idea.Just imagine people forming groups and rating one another recklessly.By limiting you with points for a particular user, you are asked to be more judicious with it rather than upgrading them for any thing that comes out of their finger tips instead of their brains. . If points are made that loosely accessible, we have to rename it as "pointsbag".

i think we should be able to give as many to whoever we want esp. if they are answering our q's. ;D

Older members' opinions have more gravity I guess .

Well, I do like to "give" points to deserving answers (read "ALL"), and yes it can be frustrating when the number you can give away is limited. But as soeone told me, if you can't give the points, give as many smiles. It works just as well. Personally I don't care too much for points. It's the opportunity to meet new people, share and learn, give a helping hand to someone who needs it, pass on a smile, receive a smile, and enjoy the company which keeps me here.