What is an applause?

[andyj]

On the side of messages under the author there is a little "[applause]". . . What does that mean, exactly?  Is that like a Like++?

[prasad]

The applaud button is clicked when the post has been helpful to you or you feel it has been helpful in general.  As more applauds are clicked the person's Karma goes up.
-Prasad

[Susan C]

What is the difference between that and 'Like'?

[AnasaziWrites]

What is the difference between that and 'Like'?

I would guess people use them differently than me, but I use "like" frequently to indicate I enjoyed a particular post or agree with what's stated, and I might "like" several posts by the same (or different)  author(s) in a given thread. I "applaud" when someone is particularly generous with the forum, writes or contributes an especially entertaining or insightful way, helps someone. I would applaud a given author only once in a given thread. A like is polite clapping or agreement. Applause is a standing ovation or recognition of selfless generosity.

[Estefa]

Like AnasaziWrites said . Plus: Liking is personal, and you can unlike … while applause is anonymous, and you can't undo it.

[andyj]

Ah, great, that helps a lot.  Thank y'all!