[teachski]

The only "good" thing I have seen, at least initially, is that some people are a little more careful about what they post and how they post it (as not to offend others). If it is used correctly it can have value, but I can see that some people who are "more popular" will get more Reputation points than others. The comments I have received have been directly related to posts I have made...and ones I have given have been too, but I can see that there is potential for "buddies" to pad each other's numbers. If there were a way to keep a similar system that did not have visible stats, but allowed people to leave a quick "atta boy (or girl)" without having to do a PM, it may work.

I think that the visible Reputation points could actually have a negative effect on some members. Posting to get points may cause the value of threads to deteriorate after time, particularly if "cliques" form and pad each other's points...in much the same way as some people's posts deteriorate when they are going for a new peak..."Only 20 more posts and I'll be at 1000, ok, so I'll throw a smile here and post a comment here, and another smile here..."

If this could cause hard feelings and some people to leave the site, it's not worth it.

Earlier I noticed that a member with a really low post count had not earned any rep. points (had the original 10) despite a few really useful posts. I wondered if it was this way because the person, though not new, rarely posted and people were not familiar with the person...they had no "buddies" so to speak. I gave this person rep points. ( I happen to know this person enough that I do not believe that the lack of rep points would have chased this person away, however.)

I can see rep points becoming more of a popularity contest...we don't need that...I had to live with that all through high school and do not need it in my adult life....Greg, please change my vote. The more I think of it, the less I like it.