Rep Trading and Rep Point Abuse

booo

fo shizzle bro. Bootastic!

Quote from SlickChik : I'd like to note that its probably likely that people who are pretty involved with this site are going to be the ones posting deals/coupons/helping etc....and are therefore more likely to get reps. Many of us are also the same people that enjoy hanging out in the lounge. Correlation doesnt imply causation. Most of us are posting here because we care about site issues and whatnot. Not because we are worried about getting our precious little reps taken away. Seriously...you think us people over 100 reps really care about getting even more reps, especially since they dont mean anything? Could it possibly be that we just like helping out and being part of the SD community?

I disagree, but not entirely. I present a miniscule example:
In the tech forum, there was an unanswered question. Although it wasn't my percise field of expertise I attempted to find a solution. Failing miserably I posted that I couldn't find anything and by a mere bump I hoped that the person would get a bit more attention to his or her problem at hand. I was repped for doing this.

Technically: I was repped for bumping a thread.
On the other hand it was a *very* unexpected thank you. I feel that I wasn't thanked for what I did but, more for being here and active. It's more like being thanked for being a part of the community.

Being part of the community is much fun, but I don't have the time for it. I truely wish I did. The reason I say this is because when you post in the lounge the thread takes off. In a matter of moments it's up to two pages. It's more like an active chat room. It's very cool, but, it needs some time to really parse. Someone who drops by occationally can't possibly keep up.

The thing is, that you mention people over 100. I don't have 100, and I suspect I won't have 100 before the end of this year or so. Although they're meaningless, I feel that I am working for them and it's a bit of an achievement. It's nothing special to you *now* but it may have been before.

So here's the part I disagree about. If, and I assume this, others are like me than someone starting out may feel the same drive. After realizing that participation is necessary, the easy way out may seem more desirable. A couple trades here (rep abuse) encourages the drive to get to 100 for the cheater and in a sense discourages those who work for it.

I do not doubt that there are honest people out there, and you can tell by how they participate in the forum, but some may really wonder where these select few with massively low post counts gets such high rep counts without major deals.

The real issue at hand is how to separate the few from the many. I liked a couple of the ideas, but misuse lends to trivialization. The idea of making the rep posts visible is a good idea, but like Xnarg stated misuse will encourage generalization of rep comments or, god forbid, auto-repping bots.

Is there a middle ground? Is it possible to attain a middle ground?
I don't think there is one. Unless reps become moderated. The reason I think this is because with PM'ing it's not possible to stop people from gathering togther and making a rep ring.

i just got repped from a member who said

Quote : I just won $250 in the home depot spin! Thank you so much. (it won't let me rep you in that thread)

and let me tell you those are the reps that makes my day! So earning them fair & square is more rewarding than trading

Quote from RickySlicky : i just got repped from a member who said and let me tell you those are the reps that makes my day! So earning them fair & square is more rewarding than trading

Quote from noneknome : I disagree, but not entirely. I present a miniscule example: In the tech forum, there was an unanswered question. Although it wasn't my percise field of expertise I attempted to find a solution. Failing miserably I posted that I couldn't find anything and by a mere bump I hoped that the person would get a bit more attention to his or her problem at hand. I was repped for doing this. Technically: I was repped for bumping a thread. On the other hand it was a *very* unexpected thank you. I feel that I wasn't thanked for what I did but, more for being here and active. It's more like being thanked for being a part of the community. Being part of the community is much fun, but I don't have the time for it. I truely wish I did. The reason I say this is because when you post in the lounge the thread takes off. In a matter of moments it's up to two pages. It's more like an active chat room. It's very cool, but, it needs some time to really parse. Someone who drops by occationally can't possibly keep up. The thing is, that you mention people over 100. I don't have 100, and I suspect I won't have 100 before the end of this year or so. Although they're meaningless, I feel that I am working for them and it's a bit of an achievement. It's nothing special to you *now* but it may have been before. So here's the part I disagree about. If, and I assume this, others are like me than someone starting out may feel the same drive. After realizing that participation is necessary, the easy way out may seem more desirable. A couple trades here (rep abuse) encourages the drive to get to 100 for the cheater and in a sense discourages those who work for it. I do not doubt that there are honest people out there, and you can tell by how they participate in the forum, but some may really wonder where these select few with massively low post counts gets such high rep counts without major deals. The real issue at hand is how to separate the few from the many. I liked a couple of the ideas, but misuse lends to trivialization. The idea of making the rep posts visible is a good idea, but like Xnarg stated misuse will encourage generalization of rep comments or, god forbid, auto-repping bots. Is there a middle ground? Is it possible to attain a middle ground? I don't think there is one. Unless reps become moderated. The reason I think this is because with PM'ing it's not possible to stop people from gathering togther and making a rep ring.

I guess I don't really know about these "rep trading rings." If that is happening....thats just sad. I know I work for my reps and enjoy being part of the community. That's why I feel the need to defend those of us who do spend time in the lounge, but also go outside the lounge to help out and earn reps.

Quote from noneknome : The reason I think this is because with PM'ing it's not possible to stop people from gathering togther and making a rep ring.

Actually, it is possible.

@ The Raddish
Then I encourage the crackdown. because although I don't have many, I know I'm proud of the little I have.

@ SlickChik

Quote : That's why I feel the need to defend those of us who do spend time in the lounge, but also go outside the lounge to help out and earn reps.

Defend away. I know there's good people out there who need a say but like usuall it's always the few that bring out the bad... :/

I was led to believe that once I exceed the 100 point mark, I'd be eligible for a date or kickball match with kel_be or SlickChik! I think to be eligible for Selma, I would need to exceed her totals which may be quite a feat!

Seriously, the rep point thing isn't something I take seriously. However, I understand it as an opportunity to encourage community interaction. Moreso, it's like what RickySlicky said, getting one with a comment is more valuable than all the rep points received without one combined. It just feels good that a post you've contributed has made someone's day. Hell, I often give out rep points for commentary or supporting remarks since I believe that without such "non-deal-type" posts, this community would not be as strong as it has become.

Nope, we should never get rid of rep points, but we should not become obsessed with it either. Unless my comments in the first paragraph were true, then it would matter. Oh yes, it would matter! :swordfigh

I kick ass at kickball anywho

Quote from fransen : okay, i know i'm not some slickdeal's god by any means, but why would people cheat for rep's? C'mon people, it's not like your'e going to get a hot girlfriend because "i have 800 rep points baby". The amount of effort involved does not match the benefit in my opinion (like breaking into someones car for burned CD's). You should make a losers page and post these people on it.

Quote from kel_be :

IT must be a small penis thing to brag about rep points that don't count for anything besides a forum that no one really knows about anyone...

I give rep points all the time, for no reason what so ever...