Originally Posted by MikeM
The reputation system has two distinct ratings: Reputation Score and Reputation Power.

Reputation Score is an attribute of each member that indicates the quality of the member's posts as rated by other active members. A member's Reputation Score increases when other members who have reputation power approve posts by that member by clicking on the "Rate this Post" link in the upper right hand corner of the post. A member's reputation score can be seen by the number of small green squares in the upper right hand corner of any posts by that member. Comments given to a member can be viewed by that member in his or her profile.

Reputation Power is the amount by which a member can affect another member's Reputation Score. Reputation Power takes into account length of membership, number of posts, and Reputation Score. A member's Reputation Power can be seen in the upper right hand corner of any post by that member.