Here is any explanation I gave in a past thread about it rep points and how they work, and how you get them. Reputation points are points given for helpful post, either by giving good information or linking the OP to a good source of information
On the top on each post, in the dark blue region, there is a balance, to the right of it, is a triangle with a black exclamation point in the middle of it.
Under that, near the join date, location, posts, etc, it shows green bars. I have three. Some have over ten, and for every so many points, you get another bar.
Anytime someone hits the balance, it gives you good points. Only moderators can give you bad points.
No one really knows how it is exactly calculated, meaning how many you'll get.
Lets say someone with a lot of those little green bars gives you some reputation, you'll get more points than say a Junior Member. Like said above, it isn't a good indicator of who is knowledgable. Some people, who have black bars, do not care for the system, therefore do not show their rep bars to advocate it.
