Okay...
I'm not really sure how to respond to this thread.
I've got a whole pile or rep, and I'd like to believe that most of it was earned, and not (as accusations have implied) simply given to me by my online friends.
I've got a few questions to ask:
Do you really judge the worth of a person's response by the number of dots next to their name?
I don't. Not at all. I judge them based on the quality of their posts, and by the way that they "act" in these forums. Yes, I know you can't really judge a person online, but I'd like to think these forums make for a good "first impression".
Do you judge me by my dots?
I certainly hope not.
How do you decide where you give reputation?
I give it based on respect, and based on post quality. If I respect someone highly, I am more likely to give them rep, simply because of the large amount of respect I feel for them, I believe they should have a high reputation. I also give rep to someone when I see a "good" post. I give negative rep rarely, and only in instances when I feel the individual is out of line.
I receive negative rep, more frequently then you probably imagine. Usually for the same kind of posts I get lots of positive rep for. Yep, that's right. I speak my mind, and I sometimes take the gloves off. Lot's of mixed red/green dots for those posts...
Do you feel the reputation system is overall, working?
Yes... I do. Strongly.
I think the actual rep-list reflects my individual "rep list".
With a few minor exceptions (people left off), the top of the "rep-list" is a veritable list of "people who JVN respect". (If only a few people would move up, and that #2 person would drop down a few dozen spots, then all would be right with the world.) I'm always glad when I get the opportunity to throw some rep to a (great) guy like Paul Copioli who has taught me so much through his posts in these forums. I'm glad to see the top of the rep-list has many of my personal heroes on it. (Again... what is up with that #2?
)
Do you genuinely feel the reputation system is causing harm?
No. I don't.
I largely ignore rep when reading the boards. It doesn't affect my respect of individuals, and it doesn't cause me to ignore someone. If anything, I think it only serves as a benchmark for self improvement. My rep is high, so obviously I'm doing something right. If my rep was low, I'd work to change. This isn't high school, no one is judging you by your dots (if it was HS, would the enginerds from Delphi, and NASA, be on top?).
Don't sweat the rep you get.
Just try to give rep in as positive a manner as possible.
Think of it as a tool for self improvement, and constructive criticism of others.
I am not the "cool kid".
John