[Daniel Brim]

I would say that instead of giving out negative reputation points for newbie mistakes, give neutral reputation points or PM the user instead. That way, the message comes across, but it is constructive instead of demeaning. However, if somebody who has been here for a while and steps majorly out of the forum rules (IE Spams, trashes another member, etc), then I think it is okay to give negative reputation. That's how I go about it, anyways.

-Daniel