[Bill_Hancoc]

i agree that is a popularity contest and is over-rated. I do use it tho. Since it is a popularity contest i try to give rep to new members who post good topics and ask good questions or are helpful. I have given neg rep on a few occasions to let people know they stepped over the line. I think it is a waste of time generally. I think its overused because a few people want to pos rep their friends and those are the people who generally get/give the most rep.
I think neg repping somebody because you dont agree with something they said (on a political basis, imagine) is wrong but it probably still goes on.