I think we're talking about different types of votebots - you mean the ones that people use just to increase their XP by using up their votes every day; I'm referring to the ones that are designed to affect XP. The discussion in the CB I mentioned was talking about these kinds of bots, too (I *think*!) - apparently merlyn was losing 40+XP per day. And jcwren's post was sparked by jcwren losing votes over what he considered a reasonable post, and specifically mentioned votebots as part of the reason he left.

I'd be happy to stop hearing about votebots too, but they're a problem, or used to be at least. Apparently "steps have been taken" so that they're not so much of a problem anymore, but to be honest I thought my suggestions for preventing abuse couldn't be easily circumvented, which is why I posted them (and dammit I need more XP!).