Reputation and/or Award System

[Al]

I'd like to add some sort of reward system to these forums, so that outstanding members can be recognised. Does anyone have any thoughts on this and if you know vB (the software that powers this forum) do you have any recommendations. The sort of thing I'm thinking are images that can appear next to peoples usernames and maybe a count of how many gadget suggestions have made it to the main site.

I'm also planning on turning on the reputation system where members can vote for other members when they make good posts, so any thoughts on this too.

One of the reasons for this is that I am being sent more and more sample gadgets to review and I want a fair way to give them out to contributings members of this growing community. So far I've got over a $1,000 of new gadgets that are not allocated as competition prizes (including 3 * Wicked Lasers, 2 * Inca Pens, 1 * Beer Belly, an MP3 FM Transmitter, various gadget cases, etc.).

[palefrost]

Will members be able to take points away from people as well? These types of point systems always leave me upset when someone takes a point away from me lol.

[sbarber77]

ohhh...I want points. I'll be more active, I promise. Now that summer is over I will be home more often. LOL! I want gadgets to play with.

[girl]

I agree with the system of reputations. it give a general and basic idea of who you're dealing with

[proxops-pete]

So are we going to include this award system? I've seen it working for sites like slickdeals forums. :)

[keith]

I believe Al might consider this rep. system, but I feel it would be better to implement after the contest, to avoid confusion.

[god0fgod]

http://www.vbulletin-faq.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-5065.html

I found this and then came across the forum so i thought i'd post the URL up here. You could give ranks to users that show they have an award and then add them to a group (called award benefits or something) that has pemmisions that give benefits to the user. You should do it as a group so you can easilly change whos got the award benefits. I did this on my phpbb forum but vBulletin should have many more pemmisons to play with.

[Lex Luther]

free gadgets for posting on a forum - sounds good to me :)

[beauty123]

Thanks!That's Great!


__________
Marine Engines (http://www.top-10-business.com/top/6227-marine-engines.html)

[demossoft]

This sounds like a great idea. I've viewed the contests forum and will probably try some later if I find one that's simple. Using points sounds awesome as members can win by just posting.