power and reps

[blackribbon]

What do these mean and how do we earn them?

How do some new members have so many? Is this an indication that they may have more than one identity on this forum?

 

[dayhiker]

I never figured out what they all were about.

Might be left over stuff from when we could share blessings points with others. But I never spent any time figuring out how that worked either.

 

[Lotuspetal_uk]

It hails back to when I first joined I think.

I still use the reps (reputation points) a lot but I've forgotten what the power did. It use to be used along with the Blessings as well where you gave 'blessings' and reps to other users on the forum. When you first joined your green dots below the reps use to be 4 and then as other people rated what you had to say it would increase. Same with the gold stars (power). If you hover your mouse over the gold stars in the top right hand corner it would say stuff like "LP has a reputation beyond repute".

We use to have rep games and things in the past or fly-by reps where people use to rep or bless people just for the fun of it.

 

[blackribbon]

I have just read on the "singles" forum that having "sock puppet" identities seems to be both common and normal on this forum and others. A sock puppet identities is where a member sets up multiple account to conceal or misrepresent who they are...so a man can have a "woman" identity...a married can have a "single" identity...a liberal can have a "conservative" identity. The vast majority of the people posting on that thread seem to believe it is acceptable (even though it is against CF rules) and that there are legitimate reason to have a "sock" identity. I personally suspect that is why a new member may have high reps and power...because they were established under a different user name (just what I suspect).

 

[Stravinsk]

What do these mean and how do we earn them?

How do some new members have so many? Is this an indication that they may have more than one identity on this forum?

You earn "power" of reputation by posting. A high reputation can be granted simply by having someone with a high reputation (and power) give you reps.

So for example, if someone new comes to the forum and I rep them (and no one else) - they will have a reputation equal to mine - but the power of those reps increases as they post.

So to answer your second question - no - it is not an indication of having more than one identity here.

 

[Stravinsk]

I have just read on the "singles" forum that having "sock puppet" identities seems to be both common and normal on this forum and others. A sock puppet identities is where a member sets up multiple account to conceal or misrepresent who they are...so a man can have a "woman" identity...a married can have a "single" identity...a liberal can have a "conservative" identity. The vast majority of the people posting on that thread seem to believe it is acceptable (even though it is against CF rules) and that there are legitimate reason to have a "sock" identity. I personally suspect that is why a new member may have high reps and power...because they were established under a different user name (just what I suspect).

Some of the rules are very strict here, and interpretations of those rules often vary widely. For example - I've heard of someone getting actioned because a diet they suggested to lose weight was considered "medical advice" - people abuse the system to get to others, and after a while, many give up on their accounts and start new ones.

Not to complain about the rules (I believe I am just stating a reality of this forum) - but if a video is posted where the word "hell" or "damn" is "used outside a biblical context" - technically, this could get someone a warning or infraction.

But no, high reps in and of itself indicate nothing other than someone or someone(s) with a high reputation rep'd another member.

 

[blackribbon]

You earn "power" of reputation by posting. A high reputation can be granted simply by having someone with a high reputation (and power) give you reps.

So for example, if someone new comes to the forum and I rep them (and no one else) - they will have a reputation equal to mine - but the power of those reps increases as they post.

So to answer your second question - no - it is not an indication of having more than one identity here.

How does someone "rep" someone and why would they do it?

And honestly, wouldn't someone with a sock just rep their own sock...so it could still be an indicator... I have seen where a new member has less than a 100 post but significant rep and power to match....

How do you loose "reps & power"? I know a member who was reduced to zero power and couldn't post. What do "reps and power" actually do?

 

[Stravinsk]

How does someone "rep" someone and why would they do it?

People rep other posters to show appreciation for what they posted, without it appearing on the public forum.

And honestly, wouldn't someone with a sock just rep their own sock...so it could still be an indicator... I have seen where a new member has less than a 100 post but significant rep and power to match....

Not necessarily. Maybe someone or someone(s) with significant reps and power just liked some of their input. It "could" be an indicator, but not necessarily so.

How do you loose "reps & power"? I know a member who was reduced to zero power and couldn't post. What do "reps and power" actually do?

You know when a member is banned because they will often have high reputation - significant posts and some time on the forum - and 0 power.

 

[blackribbon]

But how do you "rep" someone?

 

[Stravinsk]

But how do you "rep" someone?

There is a little lightbulb looking icon on the top right of every member's post between the post number and the red ! for reporting posts. Click it, and you can send a member a reputation message for their post. If you want to read your own reps, click "user CP".

 

[blackribbon]

Thanks for the info!

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

But how do you "rep" someone?

Next to the post number at the right is a little light bulb. You click on that to add to that posters reputation because you liked what they had to say.

 

[Lotuspetal_uk]

But how do you "rep" someone?

I've just rep'd you Blackribbon.

You should now see a difference in your rep count in the upper right hand corner of your next post from when you last posted yesterday.

Enjoy!

 

[Lotuspetal_uk]

I have just read on the "singles" forum that having "sock puppet" identities seems to be both common and normal on this forum and others. A sock puppet identities is where a member sets up multiple account to conceal or misrepresent who they are...so a man can have a "woman" identity...a married can have a "single" identity...a liberal can have a "conservative" identity. The vast majority of the people posting on that thread seem to believe it is acceptable (even though it is against CF rules) and that there are legitimate reason to have a "sock" identity. I personally suspect that is why a new member may have high reps and power...because they were established under a different user name (just what I suspect).

The socks tend to be my pet peeve tbh. I'm not comfortable with the deceit of some who abuse it. That and the fact that they are okay with it.

I have had the same account since 2003 and whilst I can see the need when people have been stalked online or for safety reasons they need to keep their identity secret, I agree that a small minority abuse this facility.

I don't personally like it especially when they take advantage of gender changed accounts so that they can pry into areas on the site that are for one gender only.

 

[blackribbon]

I've just rep'd you Blackribbon.

You should now see a difference in your rep count in the upper right hand corner of your next post from when you last posted yesterday.

Enjoy!

Thanks ! now what are they good for?

 

[Lotuspetal_uk]

Thanks ! now what are they good for?

Absolutely nothing! Except to bring a smile to your face when you give and when you receive.

 

[TonyLee]

Smile on the face? I need to be on some serious depression medication then.

 

[Lotuspetal_uk]

Smile on the face? I need to be on some serious depression medication then.

Yep it would bring a new meaning to the phrase "Happy pills"