I don't like this; it often ends up being a rep contest and that's never good. It also gets distracting and does it really add content to the thread? Will threads that people "like" look bigger on the page or they will just look the same? If they look the same then what's the point? Just more stuff to read.

However on many forums there is an option to pose a question (ie: there is a checkbox that asks if this is a question oppose to just a discussion); in this case, I think a "Answered" or "This is helpful" button is appropriate. Once a question is answered, the thread should be closed. There should be no reason to bump up a five year old thread. A lot of information become outdated in this day and age very quickly.

I oppose this, but if it's offered, I hope there is an option for members to turn off seeing this. This I think is the best of both worlds.