A simple jQuery window opening on the same page, or perhaps expanding to a text box where we can enter the amount and press send, without any page refresh needed (just a simple Ajax would do), would do absolute wonders to make giving merit a much easier and funner experience.
"grue" already made one:
Enhanced merit UI [1.1]Only reason I can think for justifying the current system is that admin wanted to ensure that the member is not sending the merit by mistake. Opening on a new page is kind of a confirmation being asked. It is a good practice as merits are too scarce to be lost accidentally.
Regardless of having it to open in a different page or within a box, both of them will require "3 steps".
1. Opening the page or a windows/box
2. Choosing the amount
3. Clicking "Send"
So I doubt someone will accidentally send a merit to someone (using the suggested way).