I like the thanks option. Sometimes I agree with a post or find it very helpful.
I do wish we could modify the thanks option. I wish I could find all posts that say member NWGrateful had been thanked for as well as find the posts in which NWgrateful has thanked people. I find most (not all least his head become to big for his mask and prevent him from ever diving again) of his post really informative and really respect what he says. Sometimes a guy like him, Uncle Pug, TSandM, lamont or other will toss a post that has a lot of meat in it and I think it is great that people flag those. I think it is also worth being able to search what posts such people think and read what they find note worthy.
From being on the board a while you get a sense of what one of the above people might thank verses someone like me, Jep, pikki, Redrover and so forth. If you really get along well with someone one the board or admire them it might be helpful to search out both things from thier profile.