I especially think that it would be too tempting for newbies to choose to only see high-rep nodes

I think this concern is unjustified for a number of reasons. Humans learn more efficiently in open environments. If all you have is a hammer, the whole world looks like a nail. If, on the other hand, you have a whole toolbox, you learn to use the right tools for the right jobs. Artificial constraints are only useful in the case that they actually prevent harm. They don't foster learning. etc. etc. etc.

Also, it'd be a backdoor to finding out about the rep of a node you haven't voted on. I don't like that idea at all.

If someone is so determined that they are going to only upvote nodes with a high rep... let them. If this is a concern I think the problem is exaggerated. I understand the desire to prevent bandwagon voting but I think that the real danger of that is people doing it unconsciously rather than going out of their way to do it. I imagine the voting system would wash out the relatively non-existent anti-social votes.

-sauoq
"My two cents aren't worth a dime.";