So what are your standards when giving out rep of any kind?
It's easy to figure out which posts deserve good ratings, but what are your standards for negative rep? Some of you say that you prefer to send a PM instead...maybe sometimes it's best, but I think that ultimately if the post is bad, it's best to give the bad rep.
Why? The Reputation System is a tool and is to be used as such. It is only being half used when most people use it for good rep and are reluctant to use the bad rep.
My standards for bad rep are these:
- Seriously off topic (a few off topic sentences at the end does not merit bad rep, imo...but if it is totally off topic it is definitely deserving)
- Rudeness -- not to be confused with sarcasm or sardonicsm
- Posts that are out of line -- a tricky situation at times.
Naturally, people with powerful rep (like ten point reps), need to be a bit stricter.
"With great power comes great responsibility."