Just curious...

[Martok]

couldnt you make all members able to rate threads? I'd rate them, and it gives the threads starter something build on by getting various opinions

You'd have to ask Tosa about that. My guess, however, is that only staff are allowed to rate threads because otherwise it could very easily degenerate into a popularity contest and/or cause bad feelings among members.

Also, rating threads is (at least IMHO) more of a tool than anything else. I won't speak for the rest of the staff, but when I rate a thread, it's because I think it's particularly interesting, useful, entertaining, etc. I don't necessarily rate a thread because I "like" it per se, but because I feel it's worthy of particular attention for one reason or another.

[Megas Methuselah]

Hey Martok, I'm pretty senior-ly, aren't I?