I've noticed that when some people 'rep' me it doesn't change the total points - I can see that there's no green box next to their name. I know that when I give rep I don't have the choice of whether it's positive, etc. Can anyone explain?
When you receive neutral rep, it means that the GC member that rep'd you doesn't have enough rep points, to give rep points. Generally, users that have at least one light green bar can give rep points. VIP's, Mod's and Admin are the only members that have the option to give positive or negative rep.
You have to get 500 rep points yourself before you can give out +rep. Until then, all you have is neutral rep and it's the thought that counts.
No, No, No, That is a major misconception. Anyone with more points than the person they are trying to rep, WILL give positive rep. Only when you have a light green will your rep count as positive to someone with more points. ^^ That is why when we had one bar those with two bars (or even 1 bar, but more points) could indeed give us positive rep.
I don't remember that. Good to know though. I think you might let the mods know, though, because I've seen them pass on the 500 point misconception as well. +rep
so we can only +rep those with less rep than ourselves? that's kind of a bummer, since its usually those with more rep than I whom deserve it lol
Nope you can + Rep anyone once you have your first light green bar. you get a light green bar once you hit 700 rep point's.
There is a formula that takes into account how long youve been here, your post count, and your rep points before yours counts
No no no no! All wrong all wrong! I don't know who's the person who came up with the whole "person has to have more rep than you in order for it to count" thing cuz that's not true at all. Like mushie said, there is a formula (explained in the rep FAQ). It does not matter if the person who reps you has more or less points than you!
That would be I and it is true. Consider your early days here; You did get positive rep from 1, 2, etc barred people. The strength of your rep does get influenced by the above factors, but anyone with more rep can indeed rep someone with less. Find some newbies and test it out.
What ICGreen said is true, I had little rep no to long ago. Its only when you don't have light green bars yet, it happened to me a few times. It's not like the rep FAQ says he's wrong, the formula still applies.
I think the OPs question has been answered. For the record, whether you can give +rep or not depends entirely on your join date, post count, and reputation received. Until you reach a certain mystery threshold, your +rep will appear as neutral.