Well, I tried, but it looks like Scott has done some bodywork on the dings.

I think the light gray box means less than zero. Is there a level below that? I would expect the jewel box threshholds would be posted somewhere.

Of course, the most reliable way is to form one's own opinion based on one's own observations.

There is a Red Jewel, but I've never seen it on anyone here. (Either the system is set up to make it difficult to go that low, or anyone that low has had the good sense to turn their reputation off. )

Also note how confusingly similar the Gray Jewel (neutral/"balanced"?) and Black Jewel (disabled/off) look.

Absolutely, after grey comes red

Just to fan the "levels" discussion a wee bit, I can tell you I have 26 points but just the one green jewel over there. I think there's more to it than just the number of points. I have all of one positive comment, so perhaps it's a function of both number of positive comments as well as the number of points? 26 is not that much lower than 42.

BTW, it went from 10 to 26 with the one positive comment. Not sure how that works either. Perhaps it figures in my own post count, but won't give extra points for the post count if I have zero positive comments? If that's true, maybe from now on it will only go one point at a time?

Perhaps some of you have been watching and already know this. I'm not terribly concerned about the feature, just curious how it calculates since it was being discussed.

According to the FAQ, you need 20 points to be able to influence someone elses reputation. If we all start with 10 points, its only a few people that can actually push anyone up over the 20 min.

I have been at 18 points since about day 2 of the new improved FT. I have had plenty of positive hits, but all from people with less than 20 (ie light grey boxes). If someone can help me over the 20 min (I only need 2 more) I can start to have some positive influence on other's reps as they post.

Sounds like you are trolling for points Trolling is not allowed on FT

And just when I thought this 'reputation' nonsense had got as silly as was possible .......

That's never stopped anyone...

Posting for my thread that was redirected to this thread. Thanks everyone for your advise and dings! ^

The boldface title above is one of the several anonymous "disapproval" notes I've received, anonymous, of course, as have been each of the others (mostly blank). It is a valid point, and I wish that the poster had the courage to provide a signature. A disinclination to do so actually supports the view that positive reputation "counter-measures" do sometimes have to be taken.

Just for the record, for those who have not read my other 2000+ posts, I am most emphatically not a vindictive person. Whatever my other character flaws may be, seeking revenge is not one of them. Obsequious? Maybe. Honest? Yes. Even outspoken? Perhaps. Subtle sense of humor? Not as good as Pynchonesque. But vengeful for something written on a frequent flyer bulletin board? Perish the thought.

So anyone who wants to disagree with me, whether on a post for all to analyze and consider opposing views (I've had my share of OMNI debates with GUWonder and Doppy, but certainly respect them as individuals, prolific posters, and fellow Flyer Talkers) or by a negative reputation comment or private message, need not feel hesitant or ashamed to sign his FT "name."

Such FT names are also anonymous, by the way, except for those who have chosen to reveal their full identities, such as ozstamps, Premex, gleff, et al. As a former federal prosecutor who has sent people away for lengthy periods of incarceration, you may understand why I don't want to make it easier for them to find me, though everyone on Saipan knows who I am, so perhaps I am being overly cautious. I think we all have more to fear from Continental Airlines and their anti-back-to-back ticketing software!

Also, for the record, I've never used a private message to "beg." All I've done is what's posted here on this thread, to fairly minimal positive effect. If someone is being hammered down as part of an apparent concerted attack, I don't think it's out of order to point that out and call for reinforcements. [Thanks to those who have come to my "rescue." ]

For those who do want to help out a friend, I think it's vital to know that one's own reputation must be over 20 to positively affect someone else's. This is important, if that is one of your motivations. I hate to think how many gray boxes I've bestowed! And now I'm timed out by the 24 hour rule.

Originally posted by NM:
This is a very valid observation. I hope someone can help our friend from Australia.

It also points out a misconception I'd been laboring under.

The boxes or jewels next to the public listing of one's name are not the same as the boxes next to comments received!

In other words, a single-green reputation status member will bestow light-gray status comments if his reputation is under 20. A multi-jewel player will bestow only a single green or red comment, though this will have more weight for power users.

How does one earn a light-gray or red status? By falling below a certain threshhold. [Maybe they have theirs turned off, showing black, so we don't officially know how low those cut-offs are.]

Similarly, what are the point cut-offs to two, three, and four green jewels? So far those who know haven't been forthcoming, but if I get there, I'll be sure to let everyone know.

As to the accusation about "destroying" the system, isn't that somewhat akin to the airlines accusing Flyer Talkers of doing that to their programs?

I say, if you follow the rules, it's not doing anyone any harm. People like ScottC and Premex wouldn't have all the jewels they do if they didn't have good reputations, even if there may be a bit of popularity contest and perhaps even some gaming thrown in there. (No accusations being made here!)

Incidentially, my original "mutual adulation" comment was a bit tounge-in-cheek, not suitable for explication on a family-oriented website by such a fine, upstanding Christian as myself.

Some people do have too much time on their hands, and I need to get back to more productive things like finding clients (defensive civil litigation) or at least organizing my office, buying computers, etc.

Come visit me on Saipan some day!

As best I can tell, we have one green jewel with a reputation from 1 to 99 points, two green jewels for 100 to 199 points, and so on.

Just out of curiosity, if we all started with 10 points, and we can't give reputation points til we get to 20 points, how the heck was the log jam broken????? Think about it, this is a real chicken and egg conundrum. If no one had 20 points, then how did anyone award points so that others could get from 10 to 20 and begin awarding their own points?

Because the initial setting was different. It was (and still is) based on posts/years on FT and current point count.

In the beginning everyone could hand out points, now it's set to >30 points.

30? It's no longer 20?

Well, I'm in zone to prove or disprove that theory, as soon as my 24 hours elapses.

I received points today from someone who said he just made it over the 20 mark, so apparently 20 still counts.