Presumably you click Rate at the bottom left of a post to express approval/disapproval of a post or poster. The former increments your Reputation while the latter decrements it. I've seen this sort of rating system used on other systems to highlight the most respected posters or those who have made insightful posts. I've also seen it abused, for instance to gang up on a poster or attempt to vote him off the island.
IMO there is a huge difference between the two concepts, Reputation and Rating. The current system, at least as I understand it, confuses the two. There should therefore be two counters, a Reputation for each poster, and a separate Rating for each post.
IMO there is a huge difference between the two concepts, Reputation and Rating. The current system, at least as I understand it, confuses the two. There should therefore be two counters, a Reputation for each poster, and a separate Rating for each post.