Nothing new in the current system, except for the new appraisal stuff you mentioned, but if you haven't already you should check out the Lore folders for info on the upcoming crafting system rewrite. Trying out the new stonecarving system in game will give you an idea how it will work, although there's bound to be differences.

-Evran

"RAGE + TEAR + EYE + RESO + HARM + DRUM + MISD + PRIDE + Your choice of Cyclic + AoE stun/knockdown as needed without losing buffs = OMG! I just crapped my pants!" -Evran

Damage:

obliterating
annihilating
overwhelming
very devestating
devastating
very bone-crushing
bone-crushing
very mighty
mighty
very extreme
extreme
very severe
severe
very great
great
very heavy
heavy
somewhat heavy
moderate
somewhat moderate
fair
somewhat fair
low
poor
dismal
no


Balance and Suitedness:

unbelieveably
incredibly
superbly
excellently
well
soundly
reasonably
decently
fairly
inadequately
poorly
dismally
terribly
not

Construction:

practically invulnerable
nearly impervious
unusually resilient
extremely resistant
very strong
highly protected
quite guarded
rather reinforced
a bit safeguarded
of average construction
marginally vulnerable
appreciably susceptible
somewhat unsound
particularly weak
rather flimsy
quite fragile
very delicate
extremely weak

I'm trying to catch up as well. How are people getting apps and combat damage dispalyed in a numerical fraction?