What exactly does the "Karma" in your profile represent?
To be honest, I'm not sure. It's part of the basic forum software. It's probably some kind of community member rating system. Let me see if I can find out some specific information for you. I've wondered that too...
I did a quick google search and found this. This is pretty much what I expected.
Karma
Karma is a built-in function in some forums that allows a person to award and be awarded points for good forum postings. The karma points (or cookies as some people call them) are listed on the left side of every member post, under their Member ID, Title and Stars. The format looks like this: Karma: ###
Any member can receive karma at any point while they are a member here once they've made their first post. However, to grant karma to others, you must have a certain number of times in the forum. Once you have made the minimum number of posts, you will see a new button in the same section of each members posts (right below their Karma: count line) that looks like this:
[applaud]
If you press the applaud on a person's post, their Karma count will increase by one. Some people call this giving a person a karma cookie. There is a limit on granting karma. You may only award a person a single applaud within a two hour period.
Finally, the spirit of karma is to show appreciation for a post that a person has made. If you feel that a certain post is above average or especially helpful, then hit that applaud link under the member's id for that post and award them a cookie.
So that's the definition of karma and what its for. On the Khoras forum specifically, you have to have posted at least 5 times in order to applaud someone.
To be honest, there's also a smite option, but that seems a bit negative. I'd rather have people just give each other a pat on the back with a really good post. No need to bring any negativity into it. So, that's it. Anytime someone writes a post that you particularly enjoy or find useful, click the applaud button on that post.
That's a cool little feature. I may even use it one day :P
Wow. I didn't know you could actually take off the the smite button. Fun stuff.
I could turn the smite function back on... if you guys really want to tear each other apart. I noticed several other forums just use the applaud function. I guess I'll leave the smite button off unless I get a few requests to bring it back.