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So far, I've used Stackoverflow in a read-only manner. I try to search long and hard before asking a new question (and I usually find answers without the need to ask new questions). But I would like to be able to upvote answers, and don't feel like searching for other questions to answer just to gain enough reputation points to upvote. Will this question give me enough reputation to do this? (The answer to this question might be kind of meta).

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migrated from stackoverflow.com Jan 5 '12 at 20:31

This question came from our site for professional and enthusiast programmers.

closed as not constructive by John, JNK, kiamlaluno, mmyers Jan 5 '12 at 22:55


what will really improve your rep is to accept my answer! –  Radix Jan 5 '12 at 20:28
Yes, a question will increase your reputation by 5 points for each upvote. However, seeing as it is off topic and will get migrated to meta (or closed) the next reputation recalc will eliminate those points. See How does "Reputation" work for more. –  vcsjones Jan 5 '12 at 20:29
The answer to this question is definitely meta... and probably belongs on meta... and my guess is that it will gain you a mix of up and down votes with down votes probably being slightly more. –  Jason Coco Jan 5 '12 at 20:31
But if this bootstraps my quest for the 15 reputation points I need to upvote, then I will be able to gain further reputation points via upvoting :) –  caleb Jan 5 '12 at 20:33
I think you might be misunderstanding something I misunderstood too when I was new. You don't gain rep from upvoting. You gain it from being upvoted. –  John Jan 5 '12 at 20:35
this is a sneaky way of getting rep by asking a question if asking a question will increase rep! :) –  wickedone Jan 5 '12 at 20:41
Looks like I went up 2 points on Stackoverflow. –  caleb Jan 5 '12 at 20:45
Note that you can also get reputation by editing, so even if you don't have any new content to contribute, you can get reputation for improving what's already here. (As long as your edits are good enough to be accepted by the community). –  hammar Jan 5 '12 at 20:56
"don't feel like searching for other questions to answer". Then you're kinda missing the point of SO. Your questions have already been answered? Great! Then contribute some answers to other people's questions. –  Herbert Jan 5 '12 at 20:58
@hammar editing questions is a good way to gain rep plus at least for me forced me to read other questions/answers which in turn helps see how to properly answer and ask questions on the sites. –  bluefeet Jan 5 '12 at 20:59

3 Answers 3

up vote 7 down vote accepted

Since your question is now on Meta Stack Overflow and its reputation is not tied to Stack Overflow you will not get any reputation that adds to your Stack Overflow reputation. However, you might get reputation on Meta Stack Overflow.

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If you get upvoted, then certainly it will increase your reputation :)

On the other hand, if you get downvoted, it will decrease your reputation.

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not if the OP gets downvotes, then reputation will be lost –  bluefeet Jan 5 '12 at 20:28
Since the question is now on Meta Stack Overflow it does no longer have the potential of increasing Stack Overflow reputation. However, it has the potential of increasing Meta Stack Overflow reputation. –  N.N. Jan 5 '12 at 20:39

This is a give and take community. You need to answer, and ask questions in order to gain your reputation. You aren't given all of the privileges immediately because that would take away the nature of how the site works.

Everyone wants a higher reputation, but you have to put in the effort to get it.

But to answer your question, asking and then accepting answers will improve your rep. Plus, if you answer questions other people can boost your reputation, if your answer is good.

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I might shoot for lower, but unfortunately 1 is the floor :( –  Nick T Jan 5 '12 at 20:43

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