[Jaine Perotti]

I guess I can also see where many people are coming from when they say that it isn't necessary for reputation to be given in chit-chat threads.

However, I think that there are times when reputation should be given for non-FIRST related topics. If I think that someone has written a well-thought out, intelligent, and clearly written post, I think that person should deserve good reputation... even though it isn't related to FIRST. I think that one who writes well and contributes greatly to this forum deserves merit... whether it's chit-chat or not.

I think that no matter what, reputation (negative or positive) will be given when it is not appropriate. I am not sure if there will ever be a way to deal with this... so I think that the system should remain the same way that it is already. If a few people end up abusing the rep system, I think that the CD community will be able to deal with it... it's not the end of the world. Those who do not abuse the system outnumber those who do, and I think things are ok the way they are.

<edit> another thought -- maybe guidelines for appropriate use of reputation points should be given in the rules </edit>