Two things to suggest.
Thanks and Groan buttons. Instead of posting a million "+1"s or "-1"s put thanks/groan buttons on each post to let the user and other users know how good or bad that post/comment was because people really do need to know.

 

^+1

 

^^+1

lol. Or a thanks button.

I try not to do the +1 unless someone said what I was already typing/thinking.

 

the thanks button pretty much says that as well and those who dont like to chime in with the "this!" or "+1"s can just click "thanks" or if its un-useful then they can groan it to show that. Cuts down on pages and increases user activity and productiveness of threads. And decreases the amount of stupid people posting stupid threads because the amount of groans and thanks they get can be viewed under their user name which in turn shows the trolls and shows the helpful innovative people

reference mazdaspeedforums.org for more detail