What is the Reputation System?
The reputation system is very similar to the Karma system seen on other popular websites and forums. Its purpose is to hopefully give users an idea of how respected, knowledgeable, helpful, gracious, etc., a person is. It is a system in which you rate your peers. It is a system that, hopefully, will make you think twice about your posts.

How do I give reputation?
There is a and button located in the members VCard.


Choose the positive or negative button and this screen will open:


Always leave a comment so the person knows why you're giving them the rep.

Will the person know who left the rep?
Yes. This is part of the fail safe system.

How much reputation can I give out? Are there any limits?
There are quite a few limits in place to prevent minor abuse of the reputation system. Obviously there cannot be a flawless system, but these limits try to curb any intentional abuse.

Members are limited to giving out 10 reputations per day; you cannot give the same person reputation until you have given reputation to 5 other members. This prevents friends from giving 10 reputations to the same person every day.

How do I see what reputation people have left me? How do I know how many rep points I have?
If you log into your Profile, you'll see a list of the reputation points you received.

Someone gave me bad/good reputation and I want it removed. What can I do?
If you have a valid complaint about reputation, send a private message to any moderator. All complaints will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, and changes to the reputation are NOT guaranteed.

What are good reasons to leave positive reputation?
Reputation should be given to people who post meaningful, helpful, and thoughtful posts. Any post that contributes to the thread in a positive way probably deserves positive reputation. This does not mean that you agree with what was said; the point brought up may be completely opposite to what you believe, but it may be a good point nonetheless, and worthy of a pat on the back. Giving positive reputation to someone because they are your friend and deserve to have a few more green dots next to their name isn't a good reason to give positive reputation.

What are good reasons to leave negative reputation?
Negative reputation should be given if the person is posting something that detracts from the conversation. If the post is rude, inappropriate, breaks forum rules, is not gracious, etc; these are all good reasons to give negative reputation. If you have a personal grudge with someone, it is not appropriate to give them negative reputation without reason. Giving negative reputation because you don't agree with what was said is not an appropriate use of the reputation system. People are entitled to their own opinions, and just because you don't agree doesn't mean the user was wrong or not contributing to the conversation.

Do I have to participate in the reputation system?
The reputation system is completely optional. But, by participating in discussion in our forums you are eligible to receive positive and negative reputation points from other users. You are not obligated to do so for others. However, the more people that use the system, the better and more reliable it becomes.