This thread is entirely well suited for general discussion. Judging by the large numbers of players clamoring over the new alliance rankings, this sheds an alternative (albeit obvious) method for gauging an alliances strength.
All in all, it's something I've been trying to preach since alliance wars was introduced....if you are concerned with individual prestige as an estimate of an alliances rank, a little good old fashioned scouting will clear up your problems easily. Do as math did and manually calculate alliance prestige on your own.
As for whether or not one ranking is better than the other, it's a moot argument. The way it is is the way it is. History shows us that the developers will be fairly steadfast on their decisions, no matter how many complain about it.
What I don't understand is why there are those who argue that there is no real gameplay, prestige, or individual elements in this new system. Quite clearly there are, and many of them as well. It's just that it is a radically new change, and this will always incite people who have become comfortable or complacent with old ways to rebel against the tides.
As we can assess from these forums, haypi is still surviving and thriving, and the dissent is becoming less an less everyday, not to mention new players registering every day who have no idea what the hoopla is even about
So in a nutshell, thanks Matherine, for proposing an easy solution for one of the biggest gripes pertaining to alliance wars, the alliance ranking system.