And I have been giving and receiving thank you's and Reps. I am just confused on what the unspoken rules are about using these? If someone reps me, am I supposed to rep them back? What does rep mean? I don't want anyone to think I am ignoring them or "too busy" to rep them back. When do I thank, when do I rep, should I do both at once? I'd like some pointers on this, I want to give people credit where credit is due. Thanks!

Well to start off with there are some forums that will not have the THANKS there. For example, the chit chat forum. It doesnt have the THANKS there, but you can rep in that forum.

You thank or rep when someone is helpful or does something good for you or anything else that you may find thankful. It is just a way of showing appreciation.

On reps you can personalize the message, on thanks it will just say thanked post when the person checks their rep points.

I basically say "thanks" or rep people when they help me out. Either if it is through a question they answered or if they posted a good deal or it could be that they said something funny that made me laugh or they posted a comment that I totally agree with. I never expect people to rep or "thank" me back.

I would suggest to give them as freely as you wish.

Thanks, I had a feeling I was doing it right but didn't want to offend anybody or anything. Thanks guys!

What's preferred, though. reps or thanks?

good ques mtalk! Do they both hold the same value, just a way of saying thanks/"you rock"?

They're both equal in value. Like lhart24 posted, reps are just a little more personal.

I like to rep people when their post has personally affected me. For ex., if a freebie is posted and it's just a cool freebie, I would probably hit the thanks button real quick, it's a quick way to say thanks. BUT, if I were looking for that particular freebie and really wanted it, I would proabbly leave the person rep so I could tell them how much I appreciated it. Or say someone makes a post in chit chat or another "chatty" forum and I want to really express my gratitude for the post but do not particularly want to make a public post, then I would definitely rep

Thanks, these answers were very helpful!

I am with KellyMarie on her quote.. I just rep when I want to express something more since I can personalize it. Though in some forums rep is required as the thanks button isnt shown.

another question...how many thanks do you have to get to get a green square and also how many green squares do you have to get to get a star...or are they not related...if not please wxpalin those!...

I am thinking it is better to rate the thread when you can than to give thanks as far as earning a star goes, is this correct?

The computer has a formula that does it.........just remember, there is a limit to the reps you give in a 24 hour period and I have no idea what it is, but there isn't on the thanks. You can never give out too much thanks!

I'm a newbie too and I just got a rep but I don't know how to view a rep! Can someone help me out?