Guidelines on when to (not) give negative reputation points?

[awkx]

Can we have some official guidelines on when to give (or not give) negative rep points?

I ask this in light of a thread in which neg reps were apparently given out for merely expressing disagreement on a highly charged issue: http://www.pafoa.org/forum/general-2...tml#post214834.

My understanding is that negative rep should never be given for expressing a 'wrong' opinion, provided that the poster made a bona fide effort to support his opinion with facts and/or logic. Is this right?

[IV_Warrior]

I don't know if there are guidelines, but I personally think negative rep should be reserved for someone being REALLY out of line.....not just because you don't agree with their position or because they posted next to someone who you don't agree with.....(happened in a different thread)

[Thekatar]

I never give negative rep.

[sjl127]

I only give it to trolls.

[sjl127]

The last negative rep I gave was on this post:

http://www.pafoa.org/forum/ammunitio...tml#post205491

[Dan77]

How about what went on in this thread.

http://www.pafoa.org/forum/members/aran.html#

[Montanya]

Sigh, I didn't know being an attention whore was a bannable offense. Anyway, I have only given a couple - rep points, if someone acted like a total ass, resorts to name calling in a thread or overall spouts incorrect information I would say give them a - rep point. Most people, myself included toss around rep like it's going outa style, I'm sure my -5 is not gonna kill someone but if you act like an ass, you don't deserve to have a +rep.

[sjl127]

He shouldn't have been banned.

[NineseveN]

I would tend to think that people should give it out in the opposite of whatever criteria they use to give +rep points. If you give +rep simply because you agree with someone, regardless of whether or not their post was remarkable, well-written or brought anything new to the thread other than a (+1), then I would assume that you would also give out -rep if you disagree with someone, regardless of whether or not their post was particularly offensive.

I give out -rep when someone is being rude, ignorant or attacking/trolling myself or others...a difference in opinion alone isn't enough.

However, for rep to have any meaning whatsoever, we're going to have to let the individual decide how they wish to dole out their rep points. If it comes down to being instructed when and when not to give out rep (+ or -), the rep system is reduced to an [APPLAUSE] sign on the set of a sitcom and remains utterly worthless.

I also feel that without negative rep, positive rep is useless.

[ShakeyDad]

Originally Posted by NineseveN

I also feel that without negative rep, positive rep is useless.

I just love useless positive rep. !!