The Reputation System - How, Exactly, Does it Work?
 

Okay, I give in. I've been trying to figure it out for the past couple of weeks now but alas, it's beyond me.

Linus? Medusa? Anyone?

I'm scratching too.


Um, my head, that is ....

u see the scales?
by the Blue/green dot, between the Sign, bottom left of a persons mini profile?...
U click that...
However, I've received quite a few Reps ( Im guessing the Reps are a heads-up thumbs up with a small approval opinion, or question in private added}, only have maybe a single green cube...
So, yeah..hmm

:awww:

you said "usurped." *swoon*

*heh*

The reputation system (also sometimes referred to as the "Karma System") is a way for user to indicate support or dislike of a post. You can hit the little scales (found at the bottom of left of each person's post) and choose either "I approve" or "I disapprove". You can also include a comment.

This adds to your reputation provided that the person hitting the scales has reputation to offer (must be a value over 50 points). You can see your points when you go to UserCP. That value will appear just above the reputations and Thanks you receive. The higher the number of points, the greater the number of "green balls" you'll get.

How much reputation you get from someone hitting those scales will depend on how many points someone has (the value is a percentage of their points).

Now, the Thanks Button is a variation of the Rep in that it allows individuals to give a quick "positive" rep and quick thanks for a post. This was created to lessen the simple "Thanks" posts for information. In this very supportive environment, it's taken off like wildfire (far greater than I would have imagined). I am contemplating creating a modified version of it that would be a "Hugs" (for those times you want to show support for someone when down, facing a challenge, etc.).

That said, it's up to you if you want to use it. That really is a personal choice and just because you receive "Thanks" or a positive rep from someone doesn't necessarily mean you need to do so in return.

Let me know if that helps any and if you have more questions, need something clarified or if I didn't quite answer what you were looking for.

:linus:

Here is a small explanation from vBulletin:

"User Reputation in its simplest form is a ranking of your user's benefit to your forum. Its basis comes from the opinions of all of your forum users that choose take part in it.

Users gain and lose reputation based on how their posts are scored by other forum participants. Users with the ability to affect reputation, will either give or take aways points by approving or disapproving with a post's content."

A few notes here:

* Nobody on BFP can leave a negative reputation except for the Admins or mods (I doubt this would ever be used)

* Every user starts out with a level '10' reputation.

* Your reputation points determine how many points you give to someone when you "rep" them.

* For every year that you are a member, you get a rep point.

* For every 1000 posts, the user gets 1 rep point.

* For every X points of reputation, users gain 1 point of reputation-altering power. (meaning, if I have 200 rep points, then I can give 2 points to a user by repping them)

* Users must have 20 posts before reputation hits count on other users

* Users can give unlimted rep comments over a 24-hour period.

* Users do NOT have to spread rep around between other people before repping the same person.


When we started looking at the rep system, we wanted to make it be much less about how many points a person had than the communication that comes with it, hence unlimited reps :)

I apologize for being late in providing an explanation of how it works.

Thanks Linus and Medusa, I'm still unclear as to how it works but it's late and I'm tired so I'll just have to take another look at what you wrote in the morning.

Thanks though for the responses - much appreciated:)

In case anyone cares, I belong to the Barbie school of "Math is Hard!" (pout!). I appreciate the detailed explanation from both Linus and 'Dusa but please don't ask me to explain it back to anyone.

Personally I get a kick out of the comments on the repped posts. They make me feel like I'm not the only weirdo out there who has issues with stuff (like feet). Points aside, I love the love!

Tootles,
Tart

I just have to say I love all the options to send positive vibes.

Yeayy!

I'm very curious about the part that I've highlighted. Could you explain it using an imaginary example (you can use me as the "bad guy")? I never thought of this and want to get it clear in my head so I can understand where you're coming from.

As for disapproving reps, when you assign reps you have the option to choose "I Approve" or "I disapprove". The system defaults to the "I approve" and Medusa (correct me if I've misunderstood, bossy lady! :cheesy: ) has made that only available to mods and such to keep the site about supporting each other.

I too have issues with the thanks system as is. And yes, I do think it has the potential to alienate.

Say two folks were discussing a 'hot' topic and I thanked one. It might be because I agree with them and appreciate their speaking up. It could also be, however, because I disagree with them but still appreciate their offering an alternative point of view. The problem is, the other person, who has no way of knowing why I am thanking them, could easily assume that I'm taking sides, which in turn could make them feel alienated.

Make sense?

Words

No wonder when I hit 1,000 posts my rep went from 2 to 3

so basically it takes 100 rep points and thanks to get up to another rep power level


*puts out more cookies for admin and linus*

Okay, so that I understand.

Thank you!

(And thanks Linus for mentioning that the negative feedback option doesn't actually exist...not being able to find it was driving me nuts;))

It does make sense. But at the same time, I've seen people quote a whole post and say something like, "great post" at the end and that's it. Doesn't add much to the conversation (which is why I suggested this to Medusa -- kind of a way to alleviate those and hopefully encourage more discussion).

At the same time you could thank both for their posts at giving you alternate views of things, whether you agree or don't agree. :)

Well, the concept of the "Thanks" button was to thank for information or providing a post that was useful. As I mentioned above, it was more to address those simple "thanks for a great post" responses that can appear after one post and nearly kill a discussion. I think the usage here is beyond that.

The "dog pile" affect (and I have seen those elsewhere) can even happen in replies. I actual detest that. Yes, sometimes we need to be reminded to play nice with each other (doesn't mean agree; just respectful) but everyone else continuing to echo it (kinda like kids in playground) is a bit much. Perhaps disabling for the mods and admin to avoid that effect?

This definitely gives me more food for thought as I never really realized that this was being used in that way. As much as I like it, I wonder if perhaps it would be better to remove it given that it may have an adverse effect (creating more divisiveness than supporting each other).

:deepthoughts: