Manage authors allows you to declare custom sort values, useful for non-English languages where the rules are not the same as English.
That way, if you enter an author by clicking a cell in the main view and using the F2 key, the author_sort value is entered correctly. Also, in Metadata Edit, you can quickly tell based on the color, if everything matches.
Manage Authors does not update the per-book values. Those must be reset by hand as well (you can do that from Bulk Edit Metadata, just select all books and press "E" for "Edit Metadata").
As far as karma goes -- you have to give to three other people before you can give to someone a second time. Some people find it easy to give karma for practically anything, and never suffer this problem
-- it is the thought that counts. You're welcome.