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Japan Forum (Wa-pedia) FAQ

Here you can find answers to questions about how the board works. Use the links or search box below to find your way around.

What is the reputation system?

The reputation system is very similar to the Karma system seen on other popular websites and forums (Slashdot.org, for example). Its purpose is to hopefully give users an idea of how respected, knowledgeable, helpful, gracious, etc., a person is. It is a system in which you rate your peers. It is a system that, hopefully, will make you think twice about your posts. Eventually, people with higher reputation scores will enjoy a few forum 'perks'; more storage for private messages, for example.

How do I give reputation?

There is an icon in the upper right area of each post. Click the icon, and a window will pop up allowing you to give reputation.

Do I have to participate in the reputation system?

The reputation system is completely optional. But, by participating in discussion in our forums you are eligible to receive reputation points from other users.

How much reputation can I give out? Are there any limits?

There are quite a few limits in place to prevent minor abuse of the reputation system. Obviously there cannot be a flawless system, but these limits try to curb any intentional abuse. You must have 25 posts and 10 reputation points in order for your reputation to count on other people. Until you meet those requirements, your reputation will show up as grey dots (see below). Everybody is limited to giving out 10 reputations per day; you cannot give the same person reputation until you have given reputation to 2 other people. This prevents friends from giving 10 reputations to the same person every day.

How do I see what reputation people have given me?

If you go into your User CP (linked at the top of every page) you can see a list of the past 25 reputation points you have received.

How do I know what my reputation score is?

In your User CP, in the upper right, you can see what your current reputation score is.

Where can I see my reputation for a particular post?

If you click the reputation icon on your post, a window will pop up with your current score for that individual post.

Someone gave me reputation, and I want it removed. What can I do?

If you have a valid complaint about reputation, send a private message to an administrator with a link to the post you were given incorrect reputation to. All complaints will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, and changes to the reputation are not guaranteed.

What do the green, and grey dots mean?

A green dot indicates that you were given positive reputation. A grey dot indicates that the user gave you reputation, but it counted neither positive or negative.

Why would reputation not count positive or negative?

When a new user first starts out, their reputation does not count. There are a few factors that determine when their reputation should start counting. Some of those factors are the number of posts, the number of days they have been registered, and the number of reputation points that have been given to them.

When my reputation begins to count, do my grey dots then count?

No, once a reputation value has been given (negative, positive, or neutral) the point values will never change retroactively. If you give a zero-point reputation, it will remain a zero-point reputation no matter how high or low your reputation point values become.

What are good things to give reputation for?

Reputation should be given to people who post meaningful, helpful, and thoughful posts. Any post that contributes to the thread in a positive way probably deserves positive reputation. This does not mean that you agree with what was said; the point brought up may be completely opposite to what you believe, but it may be a good point nonetheless, and worthy of a pat on the back. Giving reputation to someone because they are your friend and deserve to have a few more green dots next to their name probably isn't a good reason to give positive reputation.

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