Pretty interesting how people are using this system. I don't like it though, since it seems like this forum has turned into the other forums I hate where people keep on asking for "likes" and "+reps". Seems like that is the case now.
It is not the same. People in other forums continually beg and try to ask for votes, likes and reps without anyone really preventing them or the community going against it. Usually it is greatly tolerated in those forums.
From what I've seen around here, it is extremely different because of another factor which is he trust rating system. In case anyone is cause selling, trading, begging or abusing the merit system, the forum community can go against those people by leaving a trust feedback. The best thing to prevent its abuse is when DT members get in the action and leave a proper red trust on those abusers. Like what I've said in a previous post, even if a user has a billion merit points but was tagged red because he was begging, trading or buying merit then it doesn't matter.
I personally dislike the votes, likes and reps system on other forums, but the merit system in addition to the trust rating system will be great in the long run, in my opinion.