POD score and POD esteem are point systems that track your activity on the forum.
Your POD score increases as you post on the forum, with more points being awarded for starting new subjects than for replies. You also receive points for each day that you are registered.
POD esteem is a system which allows other forum members to award you points for making quality posts. In the upper right corner of the text box in each message you will find a thumbs up sign and a minus sign. If someone posts something that you believe is exceptional, clicking on the thumbs up sign will give them a point. Clicking on the minus sign will take a point away so save that for particularly negative posts. You will also find a "thanks" button which is generally reserved for posts that have assisted you in some way. This button affords more points than the plus sign.
Both of these systems are independent of each other and are designed to promote activity on the forum. The more you participate, the more points you'll receive for each system. Your POD score will be used for prize drawings and contests. POD esteem is merely a way to display how the community views your participation. Higher scores will result in a greater amount of respect from other members on the forum.