I'm a man of split opinions here. go figure. but I'll try to explain some of this.
First it would be nice if we could easily gain levels at our discretion. It would also be nice if some people could limit themselves and drink responsibly. But alas, gaining easy levels is like getting smashed when you can't hold your liquor. Woulda, coulda, shoulda... Personally I like the option to be able to have the levels to go along with the station that a character might have achieved. You know, strength to go with reputation, without having to grind until your eyes bleed and your fingers cramp up on the mouse. But we'll never get past the dang fools who can't restrain themselves from jumping straight to 40 with no good reason.
So I suppose I might as well support the "XP is fine as it is" option. It deters idiocy, and makes the 'getting' that much sweeter. You worked your ass off to get where you are, and by god, you deserve every bloody point of experience.
Which brings me to the last point. The crafting XP cost is frankly, obscene. For the amount of time invested in a character, that's a lot of XP going poof in a very brief period. It's hardly a wonder the crafting Forge isn't used as much as it
could\should be. Perhaps a lowering of the costs required is something worthwhile investigating.
So yeah, damn you and your "Choose 1 Option" polls! I choose the cop-out option!