>>> What this means is that sometimes correct responses will go unmarked, while others will.
>>
>>This becomes important when the reward is a PUTM, which not all can afford, nor expense like I might be able to. So, how does the UT fix it? I have no idea, other than to appoint moderators to assess points. Please place me in the category of those that are part of the problem, because I'm certainly not part of the solution.
>
>Hi Mike,
>
>You and many others might not notice it, but there is a link when you are viewing your message:
>"Force this message to be marked as the answer to this thread"
>so, if your reply was not marked as a solution, you can submit it for approval.

Often, it's not clear-cut that one's answer is *the* answer until (much) later.

Ultimately I see the points system as a way to separate the wheat from the chaff - when doing a search, a way to zero in on the likeliest answer in the shortest time.

If you, the moderators, are willing to vet responses, you could proactively evaluate threads where no points have been awarded, thereby doing the "winnowing" in advance for everyone.