I have activated the community reputation system to see how people interact with it, and whether or not I guess it will stay around.

What is it? The user reputations system allows you to give formal credit to people's posts if it has helped you, inspired you, deserves some sort of credit, etc etc. Saying that, the system also comes with negative reputation, in that if people are just being disruptive or annoying to the community, then you can formally show them through negative reputation, or if you believe what they have said is not very appropriate, biased or offencesive, then this is the way you can also show them.

The system cannot really be tainted much, regardless what some may already be thinking, as the scoring system is based around many features, not just one or two, and the system only allows you to pass so much credit each time, and within periods of time.

When you, or someone makes a post, in the top right corner of that post, you will see the reputation icon, on which if you click it (run your mouse over to see reputation display in text if unsure), you will be taken to the reputation panel in which you can pass or negate credit to a person for their posts.

The system is not there to hurt people, it is not there try and rig any sort of system, it is there to allow everyone to vote as they desire, or not, towards others posts, which lets people know over time, who is providing some good knowledge to others, and not merely who has just been around for a long time, etc etc. It is purely a reward based system to reflect those within the community whom are doing a good job at what they say, letting their own issues out, basically helping themselves and others to get better.

As you see posts that reflect this towards yourself, or others, then it is up to you whether you give them your vote for support or not.

Stats

1. All members when registered get 10 points of reputation.
2. New members cannot pass reputation until they have posted 10 posts.
3. Every member gains one point for every 180 days they are registered.
4. Every member gains one point for every 100 posts they contribute.
5. Every member gains one point for every 100 points they have been passed/earnt by other members.
6. Users are limited to passing 10 clicks of reputation within a given 24hr period.
7. Users are forced to distribute reputation equally before being allowed to give to the same user twice.
8. The system will not allow you to give yourself reputation.
9. etc etc... you get the idea.

The system has holes, no doubt, but it is pretty bulletproof overall, and regardless, I can adjust any individuals reputation and power if they are found attempting to deceive the system, and I will zero anyone who is unethical enough to join forces, partnerships or groups for reputation.