Reputation?

[wiperhunter2]

Couple of questions about Bigfishtackle.What is the Reputation rating?
How does it work?
What is the reason for it?
As a forum reader should I take into consideration someones reputation rating before reading their post?
Right now I have a reputation rating of 3, which seems to be on the low side.
If I was to hold a small fish out at arms length in front of the camera and tell everyone on here that it was a real toad,,, would that bring my rating down to 0?

Members can use it how ever they want I guess but it seems to me most members use to show they appreciate either the post those members made or the info those members share in their post. I think you can read what comments were made by clicking on the number.
The old site never had this but I guess it must be something the site builders included in the site. when it was rebuilt. Not sure why anyone would pay any attention to that number when reading a post, it should have no bearing on if the reader looks at a post or not. For me I read a post I have an interest in, not what the posters rating is.