Thanks and like are basically the same thing, except one keeps a tab at the top of the thread highlighting the top clicked. Which is useful.
I fail to understand why one might choose "thanks" instead!
Because we really would benefit greatly from two separate mechanisms.
Recall, we've been requesting it, but Share and Like aren't it.
(part snipped out)
I still think we're missing point on Likes. When we first asked for another mechanism besides thanks, it was so that people could point out the important posts.
Example, you get a problem thread, partial solutions get thanked along the way, but when the final solution gets posted, it was becoming too hard to use thanks to see the hot post.
So, the Share button allows us to share that an answer exists - to the outside world. And Like/Thanks has grayed over the distinction.
Respectfully, would still like to see a mechanism that allows people to point and say - "This is the solution, this is the one to share, this is the one to see." - in addition to ongoing recognition, whether that button is called Thanks/Likes/My Hero, etc etc.
Keep the Thanks, and rename Like to something better - such as Solution! or something like that. Do that, and then call thanks whatever you like, organize their appearance however you like, then it's all good.
But we need two mechanisms.