Not understanding what exactly "Karma" and "Reputation" is here

Rellwood · 07-25-2026, 08:33 PM

Having been on this site for over 10 years I am only JUST NOW seeing "Karma" buttons (they've been there, Im just now seeing them).

I have always heard of "Karma Farming" and never understood how it worked or what it was about.

I figured you just got "points" for participating in threads and posts, and it someone wanted to give an emoji, Great! I think I got one "award" once, but I have never been on this site to just chat or peruse, it's always a technical bent.

So, Im embarassed that I clicked on the button for the Karma the other day for the first time and was trying to figure it out, but ended up giving "reputation" to a couple of people for no really good reason, with no comments.

The I found my own area and discovered that a few people over the years gave it to me - and left comments - which I now understand what that was all about - and Im terribly embarassed to not have thanked or aknowledged this.

Am I making it out to be more than it is?

__________________________________________________ _____

FML I need to take my ADHD meds....and get my eyes checked.

Hemmi · 07-28-2026, 06:21 PM

I pay no attention to it myself. I figure it's a more social media kind of thing? No idea and I don't social media at all so I just ignore it and do my thing.

Cactus Chef · 07-29-2026, 09:49 AM

The users on this forum have so much karma that the number ceased to be meaningful long ago. I typically look at Post Count or Join Date to assess trustworthiness.

Dylrob · 07-29-2026, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemmi

I pay no attention to it myself. I figure it's a more social media kind of thing? No idea and I don't social media at all so I just ignore it and do my thing.

Oh this forum software predates social media by a fair bit.

DNSB · 07-29-2026, 04:22 PM

It does get a bit humorous when you click on the KARMA button and the suggested add is in the 90,000s.

07-25-2026, 08:33 PM	#1
Rellwood Library Breeder (She/Her) Posts: 1,352 Karma: 1977877 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: California Device: Paperwhite 2015 (2), PW 2024 (12 GEN), PW 2023 (11 GEN), Scribe (1st)	Not understanding what exactly "Karma" and "Reputation" is here Having been on this site for over 10 years I am only JUST NOW seeing "Karma" buttons (they've been there, Im just now seeing them). I have always heard of "Karma Farming" and never understood how it worked or what it was about. I figured you just got "points" for participating in threads and posts, and it someone wanted to give an emoji, Great! I think I got one "award" once, but I have never been on this site to just chat or peruse, it's always a technical bent. So, Im embarassed that I clicked on the button for the Karma the other day for the first time and was trying to figure it out, but ended up giving "reputation" to a couple of people for no really good reason, with no comments. The I found my own area and discovered that a few people over the years gave it to me - and left comments - which I now understand what that was all about - and Im terribly embarassed to not have thanked or aknowledged this. Am I making it out to be more than it is? __________________________________________________ _____ FML I need to take my ADHD meds....and get my eyes checked. Last edited by Rellwood; 07-25-2026 at 08:34 PM. Reason: Just noticed the stickied comment above

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07-28-2026, 06:21 PM	#2
Hemmi Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,623 Karma: 18006732 Join Date: Apr 2015 Device: Sonys, Nooks, Kobo Libra, Forma, Mini, Paperwhite	I pay no attention to it myself. I figure it's a more social media kind of thing? No idea and I don't social media at all so I just ignore it and do my thing.

07-29-2026, 09:49 AM	#3
Cactus Chef Guru Posts: 922 Karma: 12028496 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: East Coast, United States Device: Kobo Sage, Kobo Clara HD, Galaxy Tab S5e, Kindle 4th Gen	The users on this forum have so much karma that the number ceased to be meaningful long ago. I typically look at Post Count or Join Date to assess trustworthiness.

07-29-2026, 04:22 PM	#5
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 53,982 Karma: 182150291 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	It does get a bit humorous when you click on the KARMA button and the suggested add is in the 90,000s.