OK, so we want rewards for the good rather than punishments for the bad? I guess that's just my evil side pushing through there!

In your system, is the maximum number of member points available for each post still 1? Or could you theoretically get 1000 member points for one post? A system with many problems, I think you'll agree.

Good trolls are actually quite entertaining and I can really appreciate the art.  The good news is, if a troll is good enough they'll avoid being buried.  I think that this is great functionlity and coupled with a kudos system for the awarding of points could help alot.

I'd suggest a combination of the two, actually.  Plus, only ever award a single point per post that has received kudos from a minimum of two or three other members.  It won't stop people from giving each other reciprocal kudos' in search of points, but it will stop members like AWARDCHESS from filling the forums with nonsense in search of member points.

While a troll has entertainment value, that doesn't mean we have to facilitate them. While I can get a good laugh from them once in a while, I can also get these from Welsh chess players who accidentally pee on Kasparov, and who also are not trolls, therefore defeating the need for them...

 Then perhaps the only remaining question is whether to make the current status of a post visible to the public or invisible. I vouch for the unseen side.

Funny, that's precisely one of the "trolls" I had in mind.  We probably have a subtle distinction between our definitions of troll.  If the original poster is trying to set up a piss-take on other unsuspecting members (pun fully intended) I generally consider the post a troll.

A clear sign of a good troll is when other members in good standing join in on the joke.  Our Welsh friend is most certainly of the good variety.

 I take it that when you say 'good' troll you do not mean somone that is good at trolling, but someone who fits the definition of a troll and is not particularly minded by the community, rather we'd prefer that they stay? This duality is slightly confusing!

Yes.  I don't always find trolls to be of detrimental influence on a community, (although the run of the mill variety tend to be) so I don't really find it to be a problem of duality.  It's a rare troll who is tolerated, and even embraced, by a community but that doesn't make them any less a troll.  I'm guilty myself from time to time.

 My point on duality was the two possible meanings of 'good troll'. And now, I see your point- I've never considered anyone a troll unless their intention is bad.

On this, I'm not sure I understand.  Wouldn't all new posts need to be visible in order for the community to read them?  It's ultimately the community we'd want to determine it's fate in such a solution, surely they have to be able to make an informed decision.

I'm reminded of an old joke about a Russian election:

Individuals were lined up to vote for the new president of the USSR.
When they came to the ballot box they were handed a sealed envelope to
deposit in it.  One voter opened his envelope and was accousted by the
KGB.

KGB:  "What are you doing?"
Voter:  "Opening the envelope to see who I am voting for."
KGB:  "You cannot do that."
Voter:  Why?"
KGB:  "Because it is a secret ballot."

 I'm not saying that the post should be hidden, but the posts community 'score' should not be visible. If a post has racked up -7 points, some people may just follow the trend and hit -. (Or, vice-versa.)

Ahh -- agreed.  An actual secret ballot.

 Yes. Visible to the admins though, of course- everything must be under complete control by our lord and master...

Well, that resolved that issue. Now to hammer this into the staff's heads, or alternatively, start a non-violent campaign. I'll give you the option of which to choose.

I'm chained to my desk as we speak.

Oh.

What am I supposed to do with these mallets?

Have a look around the forums -- I'm sure the question will answer itself.

 This post would get more points because it would be voted as significant.

 That post would be voted as insignificant and would probably get no points. Also, these posts are just examples. I do not mean any criticism.

If the moderators are wattching carefully, the spamming members will get banned or suspended, and it won't be a problem.

Yes, but that is a very labour intensive process.  This is something that could be crowd-sourced.