Lurve Limits, Great Questions, Answers, and Awards: How does it all work?

I understand the need for the limits (although I wish it weren’t necessary). But I have heard people mention knowing that they’ve given the maximum Lurve possible to another member of the Collective. How can they tell that?

Having been here over two years, I am sure to have maxed out on many Jellies… but it seems that if I click “Great Question” or “Great Answer” that the number goes up or maybe I am not paying close enough attention. So if my rating on the Q or A is counted on that post, but not towards the Jelly’s overall Lurve Score, does that still count towards their Awards?

And if the answer to that is “yes”, what are your thoughts about abuse of that system, like the potential abuses that led to the Lurve score limits?