I think it is great, looking forward to being able to see the "indicator" on the bar.
I do think that there needs to be an encouragement factor to "encourage" users to talk more.
Like - you only get Karma rights when you are on a certain level.
And maybe add some more levels, Platinum seems to be the top level, but there could be a Double Platinum and a Triple Platinum (like the music awards).
My thinking (and is is just an idea, I have not thought about this long and hard, so have gone with a knee jerk figure list)
Newbie - 1 - 50 posts
Junior member - 51 - 150 posts
Average Member - 151 - 350 posts
Senior Member - 351 - 650 posts
Silver Member - 651 - 999 posts
Gold Member - 1000 - 1 500 posts
Platinum Member - 1 501 - 2 499 posts
Double Platinum - 2 500 - 3 500 posts
Triple Platinum - 3 501 - 5 000 posts
Master in Training - 5 001 - 7 500 posts
Master of the Forum - 7501 on onwards posts
It is useful to have levels as then certain levels get certain "perks: i.e. a newbie cannot have a ticker, an average member onwards can.
Only Senior Members and onwards can post in Goods and Services.
Some competitions might only be open to Newbies to encourage them to join.
Or what ever.
I do think status/rank improvements does encourage people to chat i.e. if a newbie is 100 and you need 150 to be a Junior Member, my feeling is that is going to encourage the newbie to chat more.
Anyway, use it don't use, it, I personally like the idea, not sure how other Moomies feel about it.