[thegathering]

From my experiences, I have noticed that members tend to use the reputation system instead of the personal messaging system when it comes to differentiating opinions.

This is part of our nature, but as Talps said, I too think that to allow for a forum that supports constructive criticism, negative rep should be used when the user is being offensive in some way or otherwise damaging the forum environment. Issues otherwise should be handled through either the thread where the issue is or the private messaging system.

There will always be disagreements and even more so in a forum that has a high population of engineers and others that are not willing to stand down from their beliefs and accept new ideas. However, I don't believe that the negative rep system should be used to force ideas or retaliate against other people who may or may not have a valid point in their ideas.


As for the private messaging system, I have received only one of these from another member concerning ideas in a thread, but much more often received negative/neutral reps stating disagreements of opinions. The private messaging system does not damage either users (otherwise leading to neg rep wars) and allows for the users to respond to each other and discuss their different opinions.

I personally have never felt the need to negative rep someone for any action because I have yet to be personally attack or disrespected. I've always felt that issues with other members were better dealt with through either the thread or a two way conversation.