When I first joined this forum, there was no thanks button. I don't really think it made the forum any "better" by adding it. Maybe it cut down on the responses some because many times people would just post a thanks with no additional comment. I do remember though, that there was a total under each person's name with a number of how many times they had been "thanked." Most people didn't like that and made it clear, so it was done away with. Made it seem like some kind of contest to see who could get the most "thanks."
I don't use it much because it doesn't really seem to add anything to the value of this forum. But, I do sometimes get the kind of guilt that you get when someone buys you a gift and then you feel like you should get them something, too. LOL
L