The current version ("741, 2.41") is nicer. I'm not a karma-whore, but it's nice to know where I'm at.
One feature I'd love to see also, is the # of direct replies to my comments in the head bar. Also, while we're at it, a page listing them all too. That way, I'll know if somebody replies to a comment I made last week/month/year. For example, in 'My dalliance with smart drugs - and the lesson I learned' (http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1850750), a few people have ordered some of the drugs mentioned, but the story will be dead soon, so in a few weeks, when the drugs arrive, nobody will be able to share their experiences.