Why do I get thumbs down for sensible, useful answers that the questioner actually finds the best answer?

i originally joined here in 2007 and didn't understand why my helpful answers were being thumbed down either and at first it really irritated me, however once i became a regular user i became aware of 'trolls', these are users that are here for no benefit of their own or anyone else and are solely here to thumbs down answers for no reason, and ask questions that will make people angry which they get a kick from.

its just something you have to try and ignore, and as thumbs down have no actual impact on points, or your question being chosen as BA in most circumstances i wouldn't worry to much about the 'thumbs' system.

I agree, I don't get it either. As a matter of fact, I will go through and give nearly everyone that received a thumbs down, a thumbs up just because it offsets the down.

People are idiots, they only thumbs down because they can. That's why its nice that there is a thumbs up button too.

I gave you a star for interesting!!!

its the same as "all people come in different shapes and sizes." Wht u should really focus on is that the questione prefered your answer over all the rest.

i've heard this question before...it is sheer jealousy from people so they randomly get people's best answers thumbs down...

Other people's opinions. Just shows what a varied bunch we Yahoo users are.

maybe they're a bunch of kids!