Special Votes
I couldn't find any trace of the following, but I'm sure someone must have posted this suggestion before, so I apologise in advance if the topic has already been broached - no doubt Nkm will track down a past link that I couldn't find 
Anyway - I vote a lot. In fact, I vote for everybody who makes an attempt in the Words / Pic of the Day games, and for all question answers that succinctly address the question. But sometimes there is a special answer that makes me think, darn, I'd really like to give that person another vote. Or something even more identifiable as saying: that was special.
So, my question here is would it be a good idea for SD to introduce an additional voting option?
I know on Duolingo they have "lingots" which are supposed to be a type of currency, but as there is very little to spend them on they have no real value. The only thing they are good for is giving away, which I do whenever somebody's comment deserves special recognition. Often it is a stack of lingots that draws you to a certain comment rather than the number of votes it has attained.
Here on SD there is of course the "Best Answer" award that can do the same, but as this is awarded by the question asker there is no guarantee that it will be the best answer, especially if the awarder is an inexperienced learner. For me the voice of the community should always determine this best, and awarding a "Special" vote for a special answer could help here.
Also, in the games, as I said before, I vote for everyone, but every now and again there is an entry that is particularly funny, inspiring, informative, or a really clever use of language. When these appear I would like to reward the member with something extra. In these cases, at present, I always leave a comment, but everyone likes getting presents too
To be fair, I will concede that the introduction of an additional voting system is unnecessary. There isn't a real need for it. Best Answer works more often than not, and voting and commenting can show appreciation within the current infrastructure. Also, the badge system is very comprehensive. Another consideration would be that if a special vote were to be introduced, its usage would need to be restricted in some way to keep it "special."
But at the same time, everyone likes to be appreciated, so maybe it is still a good idea? I don't know, but I look forward to all of your comments.
This is my SD Smiley to use as an example of a special vote icon. It took me 2 minutes to make so please treat it only as an example.
9 Answers
For me, a kind word of appreciation is worth much more than extra votes, megavotes, ultravotes, and even supervotes. But... I'm abnormal in a lot of ways.
For jellonz:
For Heidita:
I have mixed feelings about the voting system anyway, to tell you the truth.
When I see posts with people asking for votes, I cringe lol. Everybody likes to be appreciated, of course they do, but my purpose for being here is to learn and have a bit of fun in the process - I pay little attention to the votes I receive. A pleasant or really helpful comment, I love!
The voting system is here though, so I use it. Like you everybody gets a vote when I'm around........ All the participants in word/picture of the day (definitely those who have already posted before me - I don't always catch all the ones who posted after), anybody who replies to one of my threads, newbies posting a question, also ..... because I'm sad like that lol .... anybody who I think would really like a vote.
What would be a good feature is if there could be some notification of comments made. A vote serves the purpose for you to check your post again to see if there has been any activity - it's good for that. But something where there is a notification of a new comment on a thread you have participated in would be helpful.
For Billy, from Jellonz:
Here on SD there is of course the "Best Answer" award that can do the same, but as this is awarded by the question asker there is no guarantee that it will be the best answer, especially if the awarder is an inexperienced learner. For me the voice of the community should always determine this best, and awarding a "Special" vote for a special answer could help here.
I don't think this will work, but nonetheless it is a good idea.
Oftentimes the "best answer" system doesn't work at all, as , especially newbies, take the first answer they get, chose it as best answer and go away, having learnt nothing .
You always come up with good ideas, why don't you give it a shot and send the thread to the SD team?
Como decimos por aquí : el no ya lo tienes.
meaning: it get only get better 
jeje
So , have a special vote, my friend
Billy asked:
What would be a good feature is if there could be some notification of comments made. A vote serves the purpose for you to check your post again to see if there has been any activity - it's good for that. But something where there is a notification of a new comment on a thread you have participated in would be helpful.
So I clicked on "watch this thread"...and this is what happened:
Hola Heidita2,
Jellonz has posted a new comment on your post on Special Votes:
yes, even though it is not yours, you get info even when a comment is posted...that is a very important piece of news, I think not too many people know this.
Jello, why don't you open a thread and let this be known...I think it is worth a thread.
The only thing you have to do is click "watch this thread", you will get info on both new posts and comments.
Hang on. I just went to click the "watch this question" box so I would be notified if any comments were made and it is already checked? But the only notification I have been receiving have been for new answers? It there a notification setting somewhere
Hmmm, by defect it is checked. However, I normally un-check it so as not to be "spammed".
I believe you get a notification of comments on your posts or new posts on your question.
Now if you really want to make a second vote option, what about making two types of votes:
Votes of appreciation- (semi)-anonymous, like the votes we have now (I put the semi because if you know how to look, often you can readily tell who voted for what)
Votes of (Certification, Agreement, ?)- votes to say you agree with content of the post, that leaves your name/avatar, and says I have enough knowledge to say this is correct and I believe it is. So we can see who is agreeing with what is said when we judge its merits.
Hmm that might be nerve-racking.
Truth be told, to tell the truth, honestly I think the truth is anything overly complicated is not going to be instituted, and I think we all know it takes people a while to get the hang of even the current system. So I suspect we are stuck with votes as is, and anything else by a comment. And the comment from Heidita, Daniela, Julian or whoever else that might know, that say I have it right is much more important than any vote. And I like the ones that say that my attempt at wit on the picture of day resonated as well. As I sometimes note, we are social primates.
What would be a good feature is if there could be some notification of comments made. A vote serves the purpose for you to check your post again to see if there has been any activity - it's good for that. But something where there is a notification of a new comment on a thread you have participated in would be helpful.
This does exist on your own threads already...I would guess that it might happen too, if you click on "watch this thread".
I am going to check, please comment something here...I will click on watch this thread, let's see if I get a notification.
Hola Heidita2,
Billygoat has posted a new comment on your post on Special Votes:
I clicked the 'watch this answer' box but I have only received notifications of new answers, not comments!
you get the notifications of comments only on your own answers.
As you can see, I am getting all those posted on my answer.
I also get notifications of new answers.
When I see posts with people asking for votes, I cringe.
So true, so do I.
I only recently saw a member, who has about 130k , say to a newbie: If you vote me, I vote you.
Jesus....how is that even possible.
This idea however, could work, even though they don't implement it as a general SD item, but a personal appreciation vote , especially when an answer has wrongly been chosen as best answer.
