I still hope that the vBulletin people will eventually build reputation functionality that encourages people to make great posts without encouraging gaming the system. FT'ers are, after all, the ultimate gamers of complicated systems.
Wonder how that would work. I'm with you that a well-functioning reputation system would be a great addition, but there are a lot of challenges to overcome (for those not familiar, see
here,
here,
here, and
here).
And yes, it's just an Internet bulletin board.
Surely you jest! I know many for whom it is not only just an addiction but a lifestyle! (I should probably count myself among that crowd...
)