Here is the scoop on the reputation system and what I plan to do with it.

The reputation feature is something that can be found on any Vbulletin forum (if they have in enabled). Normally it's used as a way to judge someones character based on several different factors. For the most part, there really is little use for the reputation system other than bragging rights.

However, we are going to put it to very good use.

Since the launch of the "chips" system, I have struggled to find a way to fairly reward every member based on their contributions to the forum. I haven't always been completely happy with some of the posts that are made in the forum when they were clearly made for the sole purpose of earning chips. At times there is so much useless stuff posted that I don't even bother to read it (and I am sure many of you feel the same way).

So, in an effort to change that, we are going to use the reputation system to try to increase the quality of the posts and thus increase the readability of the forum.

How are we going to do this?

In the near future, I will be implementing a 5-tier structure for the chips system. Your reputation points will determine which tier you will be on. Each tier will earn chips at a different level. For example, the lower the tier, the less chips you will earn. If you are in the top tier, you will earn chips five times faster than those who are in tier one.

Your reputation will be determined by several factors, but basically, the higher the quality of your posts, the higher the tier you will be on, and the more chips you will earn. That's the ultimate goal of this project. To give more rewards to members who contribute a lot to the forum.

At the moment, no one needs to do worry about their reputation. I am currently testing a few things, and all of the reputations will be reset when I am ready to launch the 5-tier system.

However, I could use everyone's help during the test period.

Above each post, you will see a "scale" image. If you click that image, you can give a member reputation points. I would greatly appreciate if you could make use of that feature whenever you come across a quality post. There are certain limits to the amount of people you can give reputation to each day, so please try to make sure you are giving reputation because it's truly deserved.

I would especially appreciate if some of our most active members could help me out with this testing phase. If you could make it a point to try and use up all of your reputation giving powers each day it would be a big help.

I think that's about it for now. I will be sure to post more information as things progress.

Thanks,
NDN