Sorry for the delay in answering, but I had to run off to hang at my kid's school for a while...
The feedback I've received concerning the karma feature has cut both ways. Some find it amusing while others are skeptical about it, and like Bob a few others have requested we take it down. I can't speak for the creator of the karma mod except that he has said (see threads on the karma feature in Testing 1, 2, 3) it was created for fun. I've seen far too numerous incidents of posters attacking each other using words and of course we never condone that, yet while I recognize that the karma feature has inspired strong feelings in some I still contend that it shouldn't be taken too seriously and merely allows some posters to give comments a thumbs up or a thumbs down. [Smite] is just a link that posters can push and there's no intent for it to compare to the harsh words some internet posters occasionally like to sling at each other on the many DS venues. My feeling is that the words used against each other are very powerful and far more damaging than any YaBB mod can ever be. On the subject of words, if your problem is with the term "smite", I thought it was amusing but it can be changed, just please don't ask that we do it right now or send suggestions for us to consider cuz we're swamped with requests and questions regarding this new version.
I hear you, Cassandra Blair, and you're not the only person that has said it at one time or another, but I honestly don't understand the feeling that the forums are a bit clannish. Everyone is welcome [within the sole limitation of bandwidth, argh!], posting is always encouraged, the guidelines are enforced across the board, and I don't know of any incident of a group ganging up on any individual. I sincerely hope no one is smiting because they dislike or have an axe to grind with any one person.
Thank you for your feedback, and please understand that all MB, Dom and I are asking is that the feature be given a chance.