I honestly don't think Rep matters, or makes any sort of difference anywhere. Therefore I don't really see an issue with the system, whether it exists or not. It does sometimes lend slightly more authority to those with high rep, but I wouldn't say that anyone dismisses someone else's point of view simply because of low or negative rep.

Nothing wrong with the rep score IMO, just a bit of fun concerning your overall standing, depending on what mood the voter is in on that day and whether they agree with you or not.
I can honestly say that being a mature, mild mannered, forward thinking type of person I do not feel the need to obtain lots of + points as if it were some kind of soothing blanket or praise for my words of wisodm.
Those who crave such things however, and find it offensive to collect minus points, really need to get out a little bit more and realise that a + or - rep score is meaningless and of very little consequence whatsoever.

The problem with this would be that people (perhaps like KingofGnG) would never get a chance to use it. Hardly fair, IMHO.
Not to seem contentious, but your personal take on what your browsing experience should be is not really the issue here. Those 'very few consequences' you deem acceptable are not to others. Just because you think most of us are stupid and not worth your time doesn't make it so.
I have noticed plenty of instances where people are getting a minus, not based on what they wrote, but because of who wrote it. I usually + them to try and even it out.
As to the OT, I don't really like the REP system, mainly because of the way it is being used here. Putting a plus or minus on a post you agree or disagree with is one thing. Having that build into an overall Reputation Rating for the users is something else again. Maybe they can set it so that getting points for answering questions affects your REP, but getting dinged on posts doesn't.
edited for my lousy typing. :)

Actually, it has been stated that those users who max out rep will receive something from the GOG.com team. That is my strive, to uncover this mystery. :D I mostly PLUS rep people as well, I welcome users with high rep, the mystery must be solved, whether it is myself or someone else who solves it, doesn't matter. I must know!
EDIT:
here's the link to my info. it's in the support area :D
It says getting 1 or 2 stars is fairly easy, but I somehow beg to differ. hahahaha. I think Karl might agree. :)

I find it pointless and choose to ignore it.

I think this sums it up pretty succintly. I see some people think that the rep system is a tool to protect their browsing activity, and conveniently forgot to mention in the same post that it's been abused to give a negative rating to constructive posts.
If someone got -10 for expressing their opinion on a game offered here, then I think this system is being abused. Either that, or some of the community is not as mature as you're trying to make it out to be.
There is no reason to get a -10 rating on an OPINION post on a game, there really isn't. The only way I think that's possible is if there's a big diehard audience on the site, and I doubt that's the case for a racing game.
Please don't misunderstand me, I cherish my "browsing experience" as much as you, but when innocents get penalized for expressing their OPINION then something is inherently wrong with the system. This is based on American ideals and yes I will bring in the free speech factor here. This is the internet which was largely based on freedom of speech and information, so being on the internet people should not be ostracized for expressing their OPINIONS unless they're being excessively aggressive or trolling.
Now that I've read a few more responses to this thread I think I'm against the rep system, but I'm not trying to win anything so I don't really care that much besides to point out that free exchange of opinion should be well tolerated and encouraged.
If you disagree with me then you are pro-censorship, and there's no way around that. Reminding you again: I'm speaking of rational, courteous exchange of ideas. This is what the internet was built for as it stands today.
-Cym
EDIT: I realize some people won't like my post so I'm posting this as a disclaimer. I don't find that giving someone negative rating for their opinion is acceptable, so I would be in favor of revamping the rep system or replacing it with something better.

Wow! Didn't think my point/question would get this sort of response!
And this has to be the most mature conversation thread on this and most forums on the web! In addition, I am pleased this thread, by accident, has meant so many posters getting so many positive post points! Again, this thread probably has the most +1 reps given of all the GOG threads created! :)
But we've all been wrong! (Thanks to Weclock's link in his post - no wonder he's Top Dog!) I paste below the difference between the +1/-1points we give to a post and the actual Rep system - which is something different!
4. How does “rate this post” work?
On GOG.com forums there's a post rating system in place that is available to all registered users. This allows you to promote the most helpful, insightful or just plain cool posts but also serves as a moderation-by-community feature, as trashy / inappropriate posts that accumulate negative reviews will be “hidden” in the topic. If you feel that one's post rocks, give it a positive rating by clicking on the green plus icon - this will increase that post's rating by 1. Similarly, if you click the red minus icon, that post's rating will be decreased by 1 and it will become hidden from you (and others, if it accumulates enough negative feedback), so you won't see it again, unless you manually un-hide it. Please remember that once you rate a post you cannot change your rating!
5. What is this “rep” thing on the forums?
Rep is the user's reputation rating, showing how respected and well-known you are in the community. You can quickly estimate a user's rep by looking at the number of stars next to their rep value. Getting one or two stars is fairly easy, while five stars is a serious achievement. Those who earn maximum reputation can expect some kind of nice bonus (surprise, surprise! :). There is a number of ways you can earn and improve your rep, including actively spending time on the GOG.com forums (no, that doesn't include spamming), receiving lots of positive ratings for your posts or simply helping other users (this can earn you lots of rep!). On the other hand, ignoring posting guidelines and rules is a simple way to lose tons of rep points (depending on how severe the violation was). Also, getting lots of negative feedback in a short time will cost you some rep points.
what we need to know now is how 'rate this post' becomes 'rep' and if we got rid of it (which I am in agreement we should) would that effect rep?
It seems to me then, that Rep is actually what you get on lots of forums for how many times you post mostly. Y'know, the guy with 3,000 posts has four diamonds and the guy with 800 posts has one diamond.
Rating the post then, according to GOG is to give a positive when someone is helpful or 'cool'(?) and a negative when their rude or obnoxious.
Given how people are though, they are going to give a -1 for just disagreeing with you and give you a +1 if they agree with you. Given this, I say keep the Rep system for how many visits/posts/reviews written, etc. And get rid of the post rating system.
The post rating system will never work because it doesn't stay with the post. It attaches to the poster. The moment it does that, making me a -4 and you a +2 and him a+20 and her a-10, it is NOT a post rating system.
So it's not the 'Rep system' we need to get rid off after all, it's the 'Post rating system'.
So if I may guys:
'To GOG Team: Every post here liking or not liking the 'Rep system' is actually talking about the 'Post rating system'
(If I have overstepped my mark speaking on all your behalf's you can always -1 this post! :))
EDIT: Oh, and thanks guys, your +1's for me on my initial post has got me down to minus 2 - so I am not quite as evil as I was when I started this thread! You have redeemed me almost!!! LOL!

Oh for gods sake! Is it really that important to put war and peace into a post ?
I nearly buned my pumkin soup trying to wade through that load of tosh.
It's a points system that attempts to keep people into the realms of politeness by adding a negative or positive score that the forum members vote for. it in no way affects what you post, when you post it and when you're done you turn off the PC and walk away none the worse for it.
Yes, there's a prize for best score but then again that's also designed for the people to be nice and post lots of stuff to keep the forum busy.
See my previous post on your op Flashpoint thread where you threw your teddy out of the cot. Is it really important enough to keep banging on about it?
Get a life.

Well, the rep system already makes a distinction between "post ratings" and "helpful comments", in a way, since getting your post marked as a solution is +4 boost to your rep, or so, whereas just getting positive ratings for your posts does very little. Perhaps this system could be expanded upon, to further differentiate between the two types? Completely divorcing post ratings from rep would work as well.
Bunch of other, more-or-less related ideas:
- don't display post ratings directly, just different ratings for certain thresholds, i.e "neutral" posts might be rated anything from +5 to -5. This'd help against the "avalanche effect", so posts having just a -1 wouldn't be instantly viewed as "negative".
- alternative to rep points: "helpfulness ratio" that'd basically be your total post rating divided by post count. Then, this value would not be just a matter of how often one posts.

I think that isn't necessarily a bad idea to maybe not directly show a posts actual rating, but I think at the same time, you should have to have an existing reputation in good standing to be able to +/-1 someone on their post.
Also, providing the solution to an answer only adds +3 rep, and not +4.
EDIT:
Also, I believe UK_John was suggesting a removal from post ratings to user rep. I don't know, I think they should be involved, I just think if you make the correct changes like the ones we have outlined, there would be less possible abuse for the system. Then again, someone could always ramp their scores by creating a dummy account, and posting known issues then with another account (perhaps via a proxy) solve that issue, go back, and mark their post as the solution.
Additonal EDIT:
a minus 1? do you mind explaining why?

Like I said before, I don't agree with this as it would lock certain people out of being able to use the system. If some can do it everybody should be able to.
I do agree that Rep should be based on things like helpfulness (solutions to questions), post count (maybe) and maybe even mod input (though this can open a whole new can of worms...) if/when we get mods. But I don't think Rep should be lost or added just by how many people like or agree (or don't like or agree) with who you are perceived to be or the opinions you post.
edit: hehe I +1'd him as I posted my response for the reason I posted earlier... guess it didn't show up before his edit.

I highly recommend the need to post a response before being able to +/- 1 someone.

Hmmmm, now that is an interesting idea. Only having the +/- button show up on posts you reply to.

As you know Weclock, I hate you because of your high Rep score, but nevertheless, I am posting to point out I am going to give you a +1 for the above post! :)
Also - I want to be really evil, so.......
'Fallout is crap!'
(only joking!)