I dont know if the VB programmers have changed the thanks system to be like this solely or its a back office setting you can choose from, as in old or new like now, but tbh mate I think they've made a simple, effective & useful feature, just, well, more messy, it was perfect the way it was, this business of like/dislike just seems, well, kinda pointless & we're all now back to square one.
Surely VB guys had a migration tool or upgrade method to retain the database as it was, now I dont confess to know anything about these systems, but I cant imagine they didnt allow the upgrade to not retain all members data, whether it be, posts, threads, thanks, etc etc.
Ah just saw link at bottom of forum for them, interested to know so may ask them.
Edit: I also noticed it has actually retained most of our data, friends, PM's, settings & even past infractions, so I find it strange the thanks system didnt follow aswell.