Todd's Mac-Forum's Reputation FAQ
1. What is Rep?
Reputation or "Rep" is the only real measure of a person's value as a human being. The amount of Rep you have determines everything about your future. Women swoon and men weep at the sight of someone with lots of Rep. Conversely, if you have low or (heavens forbid, negative) rep, you aren't worthy to be here ... or, in some people's opinion, go on living.
2. How do I get Rep?
Bzzzt, wrong question, Sport. Asking for Rep will usually result in you getting negative ("Neg") Rep. Your Rep level probably just dipped below zero just for reading this FAQ. Loser.
3. How can I give someone else Rep?
See, now you're thinking. You give Rep by clicking on the little icon that looks like it has two x's in it, at the bottom left corner of a post.
(it's the one in the middle)
When you do that, a dialog box will come up allowing you to pick positive (good) or negative (bad) Rep to bestow. It will also allow you to add a little message so the person receiving Rep can know why you gave it to him.
(click for larger image)
4. Will the person who gets Rep from me know it's from me?
Only if you tell him. People with spines always sign their name when they give Rep, positive or negative. Some folks wimp out and give Neg Rep anonymously, for which they deserve much Neg Rep themselves.
5. What are the little green or red bars underneath a person's post count?
That indicates how much positive (green) or negative (red) Rep the member has accumulated. Until you have at least three green bars, your opinions are meaningless and you are not entitled to any attention or respect from anyone. Seriously, you shouldn't even post. Of course, the only way to get Rep is to post, so it's a catch-22. Sucks to be you.
6. How do I know when someone gives me Rep?
Don't worry about it, odds are they never will. But, since you got all sorts of Neg Rep for asking how to earn rep, you can go to your Profile and see a list of all the Rep you've received.
A green dot means you got positive Rep. Don't expect to see this often, if you're so clueless you need a Rep FAQ odds are you have nothing worthwhile to contribute to this forum (or society in general). The amount you get depends on the person who gave it to you. Cool people with lots of Rep, like me, bestow many points every time one of us deigns to bother with you peasants.
A grey dot means you got no Rep. Either the person who sent you the Rep hasn't been here long enough (like you) or it's someone with negative rep (like you now, doofus). They can send you a Rep message but it doesn't actually affect your total Rep score.
A red dot means that someone -- often me -- didn't like your attitude, your hair color, or the way you pronounce "tomato" and so decided to teach you some manners. Your total Rep score goes down when someone -- often me -- gives you Neg Rep. But face it, you deserve it.
Any other questions?
