Reputation Points

I was wondering the same thing... It would make sense.

You mean, how many rep points they have? No, but there is a way to see about how many someone else has (it's currently set as hidden on this forum, but it can be seen if you know how), but it's really not important here. Reps are mostly just notes and LOL's and thanks send to other users. It you stay here for any length of time you will have more reps than you know what to do with.

The main difference is that visitor messages are public (others can see them), while reps are private.

Reps are a function of the vBulletin software that runs the site (the administrator has options as to how they're displayed on the user's profile). It started out as a way to "reward" users for useful or helpful posts, but it's only partially used for that function. Sometimes they are just a way to say hello to your friends.

You can get a rough idea of the number of points a member has, but no, you cannont see their comments.

I suggest you spend some time reading The Newbies Guide, then go through the FAQs for vBulletin, accessed through the darker blue bar at the top of every page, right next the to CP link.

Greetings and welcome to the watercooler

A must read thread is the newbie guide, which is in a sticky thread at the top of the Newbie Forum. Also check out Cathy_C's thread, which is also stickied at the top of the Newbie forum, Next on our tour, if you'll look to the left, you'll notice... to find out about the various buttons and icons, and also about rep points, how to PM (private message) members, custom avatars and a whole host of other useful stuff,


Here's a bit of info about reps from the FAQ search.

Members can give and take away other members' reputation points. There is a scale on the bottom left of posts-- click on it, and a box will appear that allows you to approve or disapprove of a poster's comments, and add a comment if you choose. Members have the power to add or subtract one rep point from other members. Administrators can add/subtract 10 points from members. The purpose: You can add to someone's rep points if you feel the person is helpful, trustworthy, supportive, etc. This helps new members figure out who to trust, and helps us figure out who should be "promoted" to moderator status. You can subtract rep points if you feel someone is rude, giving poor advice, abusive, etc. This helps the mods figure out if someone should be warned or banned. Rep points can help you attain extra priviledges for custom graphics, more mailbox space, etc. Everyone starts out with a reputation score of 10. To become a Super Member, you just need to keep that score of 10 and accumulate 50 posts.

Mostly they can be used for a bit of fun and for short messages to members instead of using the private message function. This sticky in the Newbie forum is very helpful, it explains a lot, including where the hidden reps are located. For the reputation levels see this thread. There are other threads around on rep points. If you search for Rep Points, put the Rep Points in between " " and it should help with the search a bit e.g. "Rep Points"

Don't believe them. It's all about the rep points.

Yep. It's the deep, dark, and seedy area of our lives

Something's changed about rep points: there's no longer the option to give negative ones. I've searched the forum to find out more but haven't found anything (probably due to my uselessness with the search facility), and it's not like I frequently gave out negative rep points before (I think I've only done it once, after much provocation), but still: I wondered why.

I don't know the reason, but I'm glad the option is gone. No more complaints from members who felt slighted or insulted or victims of harsh injustice because someone sent them a negative rep! Woo-hoo!

-Derek

There were negative ones?

There used to be neg ones, but I beleive they have been done away with now. They weren't any good anyway, everytime someone gave a neg rep a puppy on the planet Hapson VI had his squeeky toy taken away. It was just cruel!

jvc said:

There used to be neg ones, but I beleive they have been done away with now. They weren't any good anyway, everytime someone gave a neg rep a puppy on the planet Hapson VI had his squeeky toy taken away. It was just cruel!

Click to expand...

LOL!


But are mods the only ones who can see other member's rep points?

I've read through the threads but must have missed where it says we can see other member's points.

Cella said:

LOL!


But are mods the only ones who can see other member's rep points?

I've read through the threads but must have missed where it says we can see other member's points.

Click to expand...

You really should read this thread. A lot of useful info on what everything means.

Members can't see each others' points, only the reputation level. Mods can't see members rep points either, only the admins, and only when asked to sort out a problem.

If you look to the left of this post, you'll see my profile information. Here's what all that stuff means:

jvc- This is the person's username. If you click on the name, you'll find a drop-down menu that allows you to visit the person's profile, send them an email or a Private Message (PM). You can also link to that person's website home page if it's not listed in their signature block, or find more posts that person has written on other threads.

I thought I saw a puddy cat - This is what's known as your "User Title". If you go up to the top of the page, to the left, you'll find a link to User CP. This is your own personal page. On the left, there's a link to "Edit Profile." In the Optional Information on the right, you can pick a few words to insert that describes you or says something fun about you. (just keep it clean!)

AW Mod - This is what is known as a "User Group". Some of these are assigned by the number of post counts you have. You'll start out an "Esteemed New Member" and "One of the Locals." Once you have posted 50 times, you'll become a "Super Member", and so on. Other groups are assigned by the moderators. "Mod Squad Member" means the person is responsible for one or more boards on the forum. You can contact that person (listed to the right on the main board) if you have any questions about their board, want to report something good (or bad), etc. "Super Moderator" means that they can do their magic in any board. "Absolute Sage" means that the owners of the board and other moderators have voted to consider the advice that person gives about writing and the publishing industry to be sound. While that doesn't mean that ONLY Absolute Sages can be trusted to offer good advice (because there are plenty of great advice givers here), these people haven't so far steered anyone wrong. "Runs the Joint" means just that. They're the boss that the rest of us answer to...


- This is called an avatar. After you've posted more than 50 times, you'll be allowed to upload your own picture. Until then, select one of many from the built-in set.

Join Date: July 2006 - This is pretty self-explanatory. This is when the person joined.

Location: Huh, where'd everyone go? - Some people will tell you where they're from. Others won't. Don't hold it against them if they want to stay hidden. It's no reflection on their advice.

Posts: 3,550 - This is how you tell how many posts you've written or others have written. When you reach 50 Posts, you're entitled to some extra goodies. We like to encourage people to stick around.

The line below the Post Count is HIDDEN. This feature of the board is what are called "reputations." If you put the VERY tip of your cursor arrow below the "P" in "Posts" (the "Posts: 3,550" line) as though there was another line of text (which there is), and hold it still for a second, you'll discover a pop-up box that tells you what other people think of that person. Now, you have to have Java initialized in your system to see this, since it's a pop-up, and you might have to move around the cursor a little to find it. The phrase you'll see is based on points earned by the person for useful advice, making someone laugh or making them think. I'll tell you how to do that in a minute. To find out the "rankings" for reputation points, you can go here: http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums...?t=10217&page=1

Yes, thank you. I was thinking "level" and "points" were the same, initially.

Confirming what jvc said, you can't see another member's reputation comments and they can't see yours. Supermods and admins can read rep comments, but we only do this when we're requested by members to investigate potential abuse or stalker-y type behavior.

-Derek

Wow, 'I touched an 'o' and I liked it. Hope my boyfriend don't mind it...'