Your ranking depends on how many posts you have. The higher your posts, the higher your ranking; though that apply to admins; they have the highest rank regardless of the number of their posts.

The more + Karma, the better! The more - Karma, the worse. If people think you've made a good, informative, helpful post they can click to add positive Karma. And vice versa for - Karma.

Hope that clears things up

Can someone tell me how the member rankings and Karma setting works.  I have +2 Karma which I think is good buthow did I get them?

I just applauded your question, so now you get +4!

Thanks everyone.........good to know I was wondering the same thing myself!

Is there any way to turn karma off individually? I don't really mind getting negative karma but I'd at least like to know what post it was for.

Yes, another good question.  I would hate to think that I got dinged cause someone was having a bad day.

Don't worry about it.  I was hit with 5 smites in the last 2 days.  I thought it odd but maybe there is a smiter in the forum.  Smite are generally held for spammers or overtly rude statements.  I have seen none for you...