yes i do. even though that's usualy all i give. makes no sense to me.

Nope. I think its rare that people just rate up friends without taking their answer into account. I also think its a matter of personal interpretation as to what makes a good answer. Just because something has a lot of words and you believe it is well written does not mean it is the better answer.

I think people instinctively respond when they read a good answer that means something to them, and that they will give points based on that, not simply because the responder is their friend.

I sometimes do, although I try to ignore it. Such is the nature of peer review.

No.

I sometimes feel puzzled as to why, sometimes amused, sometimes just accepting of the fact that it happens in life; but discouraged or disheartened - no. I do agree with the thought behind your question that it happens though.

To be honest I do not know who is friends with who most of the time! I don't like it when an answer I thought was valid is down-rated or ignored, but I try to rectify then when I see it :)

Who decides what is well-written, or helpful, or more informative? There is no universal formula for a "good" answer - people rate answers based on their own personal opinion of how helpful it is or is not. Different things appeal to different people. We might all have individual opinions on what is helpful and what isn't, but we can't presume to tell someone that they are "wrong" for rating something they found helpful simply because we didn't. To directly answer your question, though, in general, no, I do not feel discouraged or disheartened when I see people who know each other giving each other points. I might feel annoyed, or frustrated, if an answer is OBVIOUSLY nonsense (such as "I dunno") and has received a lot of points, but I don't begrudge anyone's choice to rate that answer, because, for all I know, they might find it helpful. Just because I don't does not automatically mean that it is an unhelpful answer. Of course, popularity is a factor in how well some questions and answers are rated, and I'm not denying that. But I have yet to think of any type of workable solution that will combat this phenomenon and "please everyone" at the same time.

YES. Perhaps you have revealed the most legitimate reason to down rate an answer. If the answer is truly undeserving of points, while better answers lanquish, does the option of making a "ratings adjustment" become acceptable? Something to consider. When I first joined AB, I felt the superbaggers actually were a superior member. Then I saw groups of "Myspace friends" joining and zooming through the ranks. At that time, for some folks, any answer seemed to garner points. I resented that. It seems that the trend has diminished. I don't worry about this anymore. The current issue seems to be, "Who has the most time to devote to posting?" This has always been the case, but in order to advance in Levels beyond level 50, AB has made it essential to post numerous and brief answers, while ignoring the non-productive time spent making comments. I have often found that the comments are more informative, and social in nature, personally rewarding. My practice is to reply to as many comments as possible before I begin using my limited time to wade through the currently posted questions.

nope