I think indeed the small users, which are 90-99% of all users on the platform is helped by the new linear vote curve. Lets see what the impact really is after all the whales start voting again. I also appreciate it very much to see quite a few new initiatives on the platform by Dolphins and Whales to support authors and commenters.
Although it looks cool to be able to cast extreme powerful votes with the increase of factor 4 of vote power when using 100% of the power, I think this should not have been implemented. I even see whales voting for their own comment with their full power. But then again, I must admit, I also voted for some of my own comments (this is not what I like to do, but sometimes I feel my posts undervalues); But most of my vote power goes to others and I concentrate generally on the tiny minnows.