Yes, I merit applications, but I don't just merit applications, I first of all check the post history of the applicant, if I find his or her posts worthy, I decide to either merit the post or the user's application here, one thing I make sure of is not to merit application from bounty hunters who dont post anything else on this forum other than proof of Authentication.
And what prevents when viewing posts to send merit to these very posts? After all, this is the point of the merit system, to evaluate posts that are as useful and constructive as possible. But if you look at the history of the last thread and this one, then we get the feeling that everyone here who gets a rank, they all have the most useful posts written on this forum - these are applications in this thread.
I like the very concept of this topic, I always support such initiatives, they are aimed at helping and developing other users, this motivates them to remain active on this forum. But the very implementation of this concept, this help... it is strange. Absolutely crazy distributions of merit for some apply that serve a different purpose. I doubt that anyone here really sits and evaluates the posts of other users. It works like this: oh, someone applied and lacks a merit. Perhaps I will send him, as much as I do not mind. Done. And here scold those who apply, as if they do not read the rules. I wonder if those who send merit read these rules? The question is open.
On my part, I've taken correction and from now on, I will merit posts from applicants as I review them, and no longer applications on this thread..
And I am also urging as many reading this comment to please follow suit..
And speaking on merit farming, I personally believe that there is no community where there are no bad eggs, and this bad eggs will always find way of perpetrating their evil plans, but it is my believe that the rules here, coupled with the fact that this is a self moderated thread, will help in reducing merit farming to it's barest minimum, if not eradicate it completely on this thread.