I like to have fun with ranks too, and I have gotten rather complex with my schemes. You can see somewhat of an explanation for how I run things at
http://www.drumlines.org/threads/faq.php#titlesI have more-or-less shied away from using solely post counts as a basis of rank. I instead combine that with the groups system that I described.
The 'script' that I speak of on the page does not really exist - that is still in the making!

But for now, we (my staff) compensate by reading posts and making mental notes of who's got a good head on their shoulders and who should be run over by a stampede of rabid water buffalo.
I have made quite a lot of script alterations to automate the whole process, however. The only time we have to step in is when a member is up for promotion to the next group.