Is there a chance that some people are just posting to abuse the merit system without having anything useful to say?
Understand the fact that merits are attracted to post that have value. They are different ways you can dish out value with your post if someone needs help with something and you are able to provide a very accurate solution no matter hidden the post is you will definitely earn merit on that post. Fact is you should think more on contributing to the forum rather than thinking about merit. This is because when you contribute properly merits will come naturally.
Should people have an alternative way of being rewarded with merits besides posting?
How could this look like, and how would you design the system so it can't be abused?
How can you pass an information on this from without typing or making a post?