I think this is an interesting idea but, as touched-on before, the badges in general should probably be a positive thing that encourages individual participation in the site's (or at least forum's) core-activities, and not so much a competitive thing where the badges become something to fight over (unless there is a Fighting Badge! Oh wait.) :p
To me this would include things like (as mentioned) useful guides and information, but also things like supporting the community "feel" of this place. The only problem with this is it is still somewhat arbitrary, and not an automated system to award badges, and someone "in-charge" still makes a final decision (and thus ends up with potential calls of "favouritism".) But if the badges are just for fun things and clearly inconsequential-but-fun, then the impact of that is lessened no?
So just to brainstorm further ideas maybe things like...
* LOL pics participation badge (maybe based on overall contributions/frequency and not necessarily based on number of "likes" on posts LOL)
* Posted-in-Post-Your-Pics-thread badge (Tigerwoods still can only get this once, though!)
* Fan art badge (or even MSPC badge..."I contributed to MSPC and all I got was this stinkin' badge" badge!) :p
* News-and-updates contributor badge (for those who take the time to share the newest/important updates that come around, but not necessarily for those that just create threads to link to their latest favourite gripe thread from the OF lol...kind of a fine-line/subjective assessment there)
* Bug-reporter badge (LOL as if you had enough bugs to fix no?) :p
* In the Name of Science Badge (for posting *interesting* scientific news that we all seem to like and improves everyone's day...perhaps have a dedicated 'Science!' sub-forum just to make it easier to award a badge. I dare say even
Guy Turns Dead Cat Into Helicopter might qualify as such a thread...maybe!) :p