Punish negatively repped users?

-rep is a punishment.

Not a serious one, more of a warning.

I don't think infractions even limit any features...

True. You don't really get any respect if you got -rep, that's for sure!

Yes, because the degree of respect I get is much different than anyone with neg rep

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In fact, -rep means you have broke a rule, dont mean you are a bad person.

The thing is: If I get -1 or even 3 rep no one notices, cares and I'll get it back ridiculously soon.

If someone with 0,1, or 2 rep gets - rep the red gem turns them into an instant fool. They will be ignored in many situations. And it will take them a longer time to get it back.

Hawk identified some of the problem.

People with a lot of rep (or even 2+) really aren't that afraid of losing rep, cause it doesn't display. I don't think -rep should just display as shiny gems. There should be a warning icon under that shows the number of infractions. It just shouldn't tie in with a system that is based on how well people like you.

That is . . .. good actually.

There is a second display (perhaps numerical) that tells the number of infractions that the user has committed.

Seconded.

Originally Posted by Ham Ham

In fact, -rep means you have broke a rule, dont mean you are a bad person.

Or in my case it means you're an asshole. (used to have reg rep for being a dick. My fault for a misunderstanding) Anyhow my point is neg rep isn't always a end all sign of a bad member. If they keep getting neg rep that's a sign that they are a bad user.

Another possibility:
Instead of giving them -rep give them only a special (negative) "award icon" labelled with "This user broke a rule".
So everyone knows that our punished person broke a rule.
But i can imagine that more users even fulfil their requests.
This provides the principles of websites like this.

So basically turn neg rep into exactly the same as infrations, but all mods can give out...? Right...

Neg rep is useful as a warning. Mods (should) use them as part of an increasing scale.

Originally Posted by Captain Griffen

So basically turn neg rep into exactly the same as infrations, but all mods can give out...? Right...

Neg rep is useful as a warning. Mods (should) use them as part of an increasing scale.

Perhaps Neg. rep given by a few different mods would cause minor infractions? This would take a personal feuding getting a person banned out of the equation.

what are we ever going to do about archian?

Actually, I usually don't want to help people unless they can rep me. So yes, it does make a difference when you're asking for help.

on a serious note, -neg rep people get alot of disadvantages.

They cant enter contests, give rep, or even get much help "as En_Fuego said"

Originally Posted by En_Fuego

Actually, I usually don't want to help people unless they can rep me. So yes, it does make a difference when you're asking for help.

I'm sure you're not the only one. However, this means that neg rep still doesn't affect people with 12+ rep. Perhaps make -rep also give a temporary debuff (heh, I'm really letting WoW get to me) that makes that user give 0 rep.