its on our to do list…  with a full plugin api on the plans for 5.0, it should be easy for someone to add (or us)…

Indeed! This is something that I'd love to see integrated into the core of SPF.

I have some ideas for options that a comprehensive rating system should include if the devs are interested.

there is already a rating system available in the core of simple press.

a points bases system will not be making it into the core of simple press…  but not because we are not in favor of it…  its just that with the release of v5.0 we will be implementing a full featured plugin api and a points system will be plugin material…  a lot of whats in core today will move to plugins to streamline core for those that dont need it..  for example, I am just about done converting the private messaging system over to a plugin…  its really not that hard…

as 5.0 matures a bit more, we will be looking for folks that want to take on a plugin, such as points, and work with us on the plugin api to make sure its robust enough…  but thats still down the road…

OK, thanks for the update.

Do you have a timeline on 5.0? Also, is there a place where you can give us progress updates on 5.0 so we can give feedback and ideas?

Thanks.

timeline is really tough on this one…  we feel pretty strongly at the moment that 5.0 will not release without four main features…  plugin api, templating, stronger buddypress integration, and increased performance through caching or other means… 

I feel pretty safe in saying that it wont be before the end of the year.  The changes are going to be huge and will require a significant alpha and beta period…  additionally, we want to give some time for aspiring plugin authors and themers to play with the apis and provide some feedback…

when we get closer to the theming and plugin api (I almost complete converting the pm system to plugin for example) being real, we will likely open up a 5.0 specific forum for discussions and testing…  As a two man dev team, however, there is a limit to how much we can do – how fast…

As to ideas, we already have a forum set up for ideas…  and we have a bug tracker page (see nav menu) where you can follow along… additionally, 5.0 is already in development and available via svn, though it is FAR from stable at this point…