The applud/smite function seems like a popularity contest where social approval wins over rational argument. It aims to reward conformity, and punish dissent. This changes a discussion forum into a moral thermometer, which is a shame in my opinion.

As I have never felt the need to ignore any member of a board, the ignore function is useless to me. Still, I do love the ignore feature as it means the irrational PC brigade can self-censor against my posts. Self censorship is so funny!