I am trying to be a productive member of this website and I'm having a problem with the reputation system.

Now I don't have a problem with the reputation system as a whole, I find that it works well.  I am familiar with it as I am also a member at StackOverflow.

My problem is this:  Twice now I've wanted to comment on an answer or vote it up because it didn't seem to be getting the votes or recognition that it needed.  But, since I didn't have enough reputation I have no real choice but to leave another answer with a nod to the previous answer.  Both times I was voted down, leaving me that much further from being able to vote up or leave comments.

Here are the two questions and answers:

http://android.stackexchange.com/questions/2603/an-app-to-locate-my-android-around-the-house/2633#2633

http://android.stackexchange.com/questions/2935/best-screen-protector-htc-desire-z/2942#2942

In the second one I was very explicit in my answer about why I was posting an answer, but I was still down-voted.

So, what am I supposed to do?  How am I supposed to help the community find the right answers when I can't steer them towards them?  I post as much as I feel is necessary and no more.  I'm not going to go around posting in every question I find just to get lucky and get an up-vote.  That's not helpful to the community.

In Al Everett's [post about voting](https://android.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/180/what-does-voting-mean-and-why-is-it-important), he lists reasons to vote down an answer.  It does not say anything about a duplicate answers.

So, what to do besides posting the odd answer and hope that it is up-voted?

It is really discouraging me from trying to participate.

My thoughts:  Perhaps any answer should give the poster one or two reputation points in order to encourage participation.  Otherwise, I don't quite see the point.