Hi,

Personal understanding only in the following post - not staff policy ( as I'm tired and can't remember most of that )

I think you have hit a few pertinent points right on the head.

The rep system was never really intended or designed to be a reflection of trader status.

There are systems out there ( iTrader for example ) that fit that mold. But that does function in a similar manner to your description.

Two forums I am on ( and occasionally sell on ) use the itrader system - there is no link between them so a great reputation on one forum is worthless on another.

And at best only 50% of the buyers and sellers use it at all - and that is among the small minority who know it exists.

Ebay nags you to fill out feedback and is easy to do - iTrader doesn't and isn't.

But BP.net realy isn't a sales based forum in any way so it doesn't make a great deal of sense to use a rep system that rewards anything different to our main focus - to help people get the knowledge and support they need.

The systems we have at the moment allow people to thank for usefull posts ( relatively recent ) or give reputation points if they feel the post deserves them (been in place for a looooong time ). The reputation button gives more points than the thanks button - but only one of them can be used on the post by each member.

But both these systems rely on people giving "credit" for posts. If someone doesn't post much there are obviously limitiations placed on the amount of rep they can recieve.

That they have the knowledge is probably a fair statement - but if they don't share it how will the people capable of giving rep ever know?

Does that make any sense?


dr del