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author=Liberty
You know, it'd be cool if we had a like option that only, like, didn't count points or anything just did something like colour the window a pretty shade for that post or put a little flower icon in the left corner or something.

This is certainly the way to go. I mean, since when does liking posts have to count points??

Well, one forum I know that has a like mechanic (but it isn't so obvious) is http://forums.shoryuken.com/discussion/207509/the-street-fighter-v-lounge-kensfacematters. It actually has more than just the like option (similar to the new like mechanic in Facebook), but as one can see, it isn't that obvious.

Or instead of likes, they can be changed to maybe say thanks like this forum (eg. http://www.lf-empire.de/forum/showthread.php?tid=10281).

Either way, imho, I don't really see any problems with liking posts. Things like "replaces/removes a lot of potential discussion", "cause a lot of users to skim threads and only read the highest-rated posts" etc... Do these problems really exist? 'Cause I certainly don't see them existing in other forums with the option to like that I've frequented.

I would be all about a "put a little flower on it" like system. That's the main reason I use Likes on FB and all, anyway- I just want to tell someone, "I like the thing you made" and I don't feel like derailing a topic for that is worth it.

Although having an actual like system runs the risk of revealing my greatest terror that nobody likes my posts, so possibly I should be happy that it remains a mystery to all.

This is a terrible idea that snowballs the group-think problem that occurs in every community.

On the other hand, cute flower gardens on posts!