For the most part I happen to agree with your long term conclusions. If I had any Smerit I would give it to you. The implementation was a bit faulty cause many members got screwed during the switch. Some were 2 activities away from a new rank that has been here 6 months and is now the equivalent of someone who just got the same rank yesterday. My personal feeling is that for something this drastic just give everyone the next rank and I think most people would have been fine with the change. Doing it this way feels like a kick to the teeth to the people who played by the previous rules.
well, actually i am not good poster so this merit system will put me in problem anyway. but in other case, i agree this system can kill spammer from their non quality post that can make this forum useless. so i think this good system for every member in this forum to learn how to make high quality post.
however, i also agree with vegita, the merit amount which was credit to the account should be not the same for new rank member who have just 60 activity and old member rank who have 119 activity. i think it will be better if the merit of old member rank higher than new member rank.
i am sorry for my bad english.
thanks