The problem is that people don't tend to see/bother using the thread rating button. I can remember looking through different sub-forums and only seeing one or two threads with any ratings on at all. Would it be simple and/or worth it to make another thread rating button in a more noticable place, say for example, right next to the reply box? It might encourage people to use it more.

However, this could also restart the type of behaviour that caused the karma/rep system to be removed. A certain crowd hating on one member could end up with all of his/her thread ratings through the floor.

This is all me trying to think clearly in the early hours of the morning though so I'm sorry if any of this doesn't make sense to you. Just thought I'd get some ideas down.