why do some people start off with different reputation

[xxUltraModLadyxx]

some people start off with 30 reputation points, and others start with 0. why is that?

[Ann Onymous]

perhaps a better question is why that functionality of the software is even utilized to begin with...

but in the spirit of SG's question, it is noted that the notion of points is not consistent with what is described in the Announcements section of the board.

[Nero]

Members registered when we re-implemented the system received a set number of points. Many of them had already racked up a number of points which they lost when they we lost that feature.

[Gabby]

I require no validation, it's an alpha male characteristic haha  

What matters is showing kindness to others, I might also not shy away from the 'negative' hiding from stuff makes it more powerful.

[Gabby]

gahhh nooooo's me an Alpha Male, drinking lager (argh), watching football (paint drying anyone?) and arm wrestling..., I'll take their money at the poker table though

[Julie Marie]

The reputation feature has a checkered past. It has been abused.  It has been a source of hurt feelings.  It has been a way some attach status.  Others have used it to judge members.  And it has been the center of controversy.  It was removed (I think during an upgrade or something?)  When it was reinstated, starting points were given based on different factors.  I'm pretty sure that was posted somewhere but I don't remember what they were.

What really matters is how people respond to you personally.  The reputation feature is not used universally nor it is used the same way by every member.  So it really means nothing more than someone read something you wrote and took the time to use the reputation feature to comment on that post.

[xxUltraModLadyxx]

The reputation feature has a checkered past. It has been abused.  It has been a source of hurt feelings.  It has been a way some attach status.  Others have used it to judge members.  And it has been the center of controversy.  It was removed (I think during an upgrade or something?)  When it was reinstated, starting points were given based on different factors.  I'm pretty sure that was posted somewhere but I don't remember what they were.

What really matters is how people respond to you personally.  The reputation feature is not used universally nor it is used the same way by every member.  So it really means nothing more than someone read something you wrote and took the time to use the reputation feature to comment on that post.

that makes sense. so you could still be one of "susans most hated users," and still have the privilige of being here.

[Gabby]

Someone acted like a gatekeeper to me, and also went off and gained rep from someone else after learning how to behave around born genitalia women (that just sounds strange lol still) from me after I told her I never held a grudge against those women (why would I???), I've always been accepted (there's some bad uns but they are just bad people.)

So that person admiting they'd been flawed and gaining rep for admiting they had been wrong, did I get repped by them for that?  Dream on lol, did I care, no.  But when they acted like a gatekeeper (I wont go into specifics) I really really did not need that.

[Joelene9]

  I don't care about the reputation points.  I care when others respond to my posts.  I have plenty of experience with my transgender effects and would like to share them, and warn others about the pitfalls.  You folks are lucky here.   6 months ago I would not express ANY of my personal feelings on ANY of the forum groups I belonged to. 
  Jolene