William Cuellar (X) (asker) Aug 18, 2010:

Sorry about that! I'm sorry guys I didn't give any points for this questions, I don't even remember checking the option 'not for points'. I'm not really new to proz, I actually know pretty well how this system works, and I surely appreciate the time you take to provide an answer to our questions. I'll make sure you get your points next time 'cause you all deserve them.

Thanks a lot for your answer and support mediamatrix. And for your comments Hugo!

JH Trads Aug 18, 2010:

and altruism cuts both ways... if your hypothesis is mostly right, then the website should change the wording of this "not for points" option to something along the lines of: "I prefer not to appreciate, even through a symbolic and merit-based reward, the effort of the individual who is providing me, free of charge, a valuable answer that required a variable but always precious time to formulate and deliver" ...ok, maybe I should polish my "legalese" here, but you get the gist of it :)

JH Trads Aug 18, 2010:

thank you very much mediamatrix! your great explanation seems very plausible and that must be the case in many instances. However, in other instances, maybe the askers are opposed to the points system, as though it represented some kind of materialistic greed. And I personally (and unabashedly) believe that the "win-win" philosophy behind the kudoz system is on the contrary quite healthy and morally right. To tell you the truth I believe that this point system is a cornerstone of this site, and without it, it would lose an important part of its appeal. But I also realize this subject is very controversial, not unlike debates surrounding money, which some, because of certain ideologies, deem "dirty" irrespective of its provenance or purposes...

mediamatrix (X) Aug 18, 2010:

@Hugo I have observed that the 'not for points' option is most-often used by new site users, like William, who seem to think the points would be for 'them', rather than for 'us'; so, with laudable modesty, they select 'not for points' - and in the process shoot themselves in the foot by discouraging some competent answerers from sharing their wisdom, knowledge, or what-have-you, who know in advance that they'll not be rewarded for their altruism.
Personally, I don't care about the 'not for points' thing; what does annoy me is the 'targeted' question option...

JH Trads Aug 18, 2010:

siempre me da curiosidad el motivo de haber elegido "not for points"...