NOO!! I'm sorry! I'll discuss!!!

Actually, I wish that when you look at the reps you've received, there was a button you could push to open a PM window (if it was signed). That way we could write thank yous without having to resend it two or three times until you realize your repper has an accent over the e, or just has a complicated to spell name, and used a shorter nick to sign.

Although that sounds like a good idea, Jenny, I'm not sure that it's possible.

If you have a button there to reply to the repper, then it would probably always be there, whether the person who repped you signed the rep or not. It would essentially eliminate the anonymous-ness of the system.

I don't know that for sure -- maybe it is just as simple as adding an 'allow PM reply' box that you can check when you rep someone -- but I really doubt that it would ever be put in place even if it is possilbe. It just doesn't seem to fit with the way reputations work.

I want to also point out that people saying thank you for anonymous reps is, while nice, unnecessary. If the person wanted to be thanked for the rep, they would probably have signed it in the first place. Personally, I give reps without any thought of a thank you. It seems too self-gratifying to rep for a thank you, and the rep system was certainly not designed to be self-gratifying.

You can click on a member's name (in a post or the Member List) to PM them.

But, really. I don't thank people for reps and I don't expect to be thanked for mine. It goes without saying that people will be grateful. What else would they be?

It is, perhaps, all getting a bit out of hand.

But then I am a grouchy old soul who is generally very selective which posts he reps ... :rolleyes: :p

When someone gives me a rep with a long and thoughtful comment, I find I learn all sorts of interesting things by PMing them with a thank you, and continuing to discuss the particular point they appreciated. Sometimes, you find neither of you really agree with the original statement at all...

And I know I can get to the PM window from a post, but sometimes people sign with only a brief nick, and that sometimes obscure.

I know I sign reps with a rather obscure nick...

EDIT: And I really can't speak to your grouchy problem.

This replying to reps dilemna is interesting as there seem to be such opposing viewpoints. If someone compliments you in everyday life you thank them, no? To me it seems just good manners.

Also, PMs sent due to a rep can lead to friendships that might not have formed otherwise due to people spending time in different threads.

PMs with a message which prompts a discussion are a different matter.

Take it from me, if you rep me, I mentally thank you. ;)

Then if we like your posts should we mentally rep you? ;) :eek: :D

(no offense, just being cheesy)

If you want, that's fine by me. The difference being, though, that I will not know that you have repped me, but if you do rep me you will know that I have mentally thanked you. :p ;)

(none taken)

i have received an unsigned neg-rep for a post i made 2 years ago... i think that is quite ridiculous

To the anonymous reppers:

From my experience, it would seem to me that the easiest way to avoid people thanking you is to sign your rep. Call it an absurd theory, but that's what my observations seem to have been...

Thread of Ill Repute
 

1491 remarks on the reputation system seem to have covered about every aspect of the topic, so I'll go ahead and declare this discussion 'complete'. I thank you all in advance for the glowing reputation remarks this closure will surely inspire. :p