Originally Posted by
GUWonder
Indeed. What is to be "liked"/"helpful" at one time may not be so in a different time context.
True, but if there is a "helpful" button that is used to mark posts that contain helpful information (as opposed to simply posts or posters liked by someone) this could be a good step towards making FT more useful to more people. Even if old threads or old posts (e.g., more than a few years) are discounted and viewed as less helpful despite the 'helpful' button on posts.
Originally Posted by
GUWonder
This "helpful" or "like" thing turning out to be helpful in any way other than by being a school-type popularity contest of sort or mere entertainment?
Possibly no, in which case we're no worse off than now. But there is a chance that it could be a step forward, especially if combined with a way to view threads that only shows such posts.
Obviously, those actively participating in threads would want to see all posts and would respond to some. But those who do as we implore and use the search feature to find information may wish to view long threads (with thousands of posts) with only 'helpful' posts visible.