All very good questions - I haven't a clue either, but that icon is definitely "scales of judgement"....(!!!!)

all the best

[agate]

I believe everyone starts out with 10 points--maybe they're given to anyone here just for being a human being???

When BrainTalk (the John Lester one) got the new software that looks just like this software, there was a ratings system where you could "rate" a post, and then the post acquired some stars, depending on the ratings.

There were complaints about this, and they took the ratings system away.

The "Reputation" icon here is another version of the same setup. You can "rate" somebody's post if you want.

I dislike this, but maybe others like it. I don't know. This place is probably only temporary, isn't it?

[~scrabble]

I thought DocJohn may have disabled the 'reputation' rating when I didn't see the scales icon anymore .... but that was only because I was just reading and I wasn't signed in! Yup, they are still there ....

I think it probably is something that the Administrator can disable and that it just comes with this software.

*methinks I'll just ignore the ratings .........

[annie]

check your profiles, click on the User CP link in the upper left hand corner and then scroll down to the bottom on the right. i just added to everyone's reputation. at least i hope i didn't miss anyone!

sometimes it takes 24 hours to show.

i think this feature is like handing a loaded gun to a terrorist, suspect that it can be seriously misused and can destroy some of our more vulnerable members. i vote to have this feature turned off for everyone.

[Bobbi]

Honestly: Maybe much ado about nothing. I've not paid attention to anything other than whether I may be able to help someone. If one is concerned about reputation: I dunno what to say. Just have fun with all that image making, I suppose .

[DocJohn]

It's one of those features the software has that I think I just left on by default. Anything can be easily turned off if it's going to create hurtful feelings.

John

[moose53]

That's what's so great about needing new eyeglasses -- I didn't even see the durn thing

[annie]

many of the people who will be here are fragile. so far most of the people who have found their way here are pretty well connected with other posters, because the only way to get here has been to have a friend tell you about it. this will change soon as more information is posted more places. it only takes one troll to destroy a great many people.

while i am on the subject i would also suggest turning off delete post. this can also be seriously misused.

on the old board i was being stalked by someone who would post nasty things about me and then edit them to something innocent after a day or two or if i responded. i did put him on ignore, my favorite feature, but other people were quoting his edited posts saying that i was imagining things in their responses. i am an extremely tough old lady and can consider the mouth it comes out of, but there were a great many vulnerable posters who were badly hurt. at least if a post is edited it is still there.

i would suggest turning off reputation and delete post both.

[JoJo6]

Originally Posted by agate

I believe everyone starts out with 10 points--maybe they're given to anyone here just for being a human being???

When BrainTalk (the John Lester one) got the new software that looks just like this software, there was a ratings system where you could "rate" a post, and then the post acquired some stars, depending on the ratings.

There were complaints about this, and they took the ratings system away.

The "Reputation" icon here is another version of the same setup. You can "rate" somebody's post if you want.

I dislike this, but maybe others like it. I don't know. This place is probably only temporary, isn't it?

Agate, it is my understanding the forums are here to stay. I do hope my understanding is correct