Instead of having a rank as an avatar , can you just insert a pic , most forums let you do that , and it would stop people from posting simply to achieve a higher rank , I think the rank thing is more of a novelty than anything.
No. It's an idea that lies dusting on a shelf because very simply put, we do not own the database. The rank avatars are controlled by Crazypit and not by any of the current Admin team. Even if we did, I think we'd still keep the rank system and give longterm, valuable and respected members the "privilege" of choosing a rank and avatar. Simon's special rank is a small beginning and we're not about to speed up the process either.