When neg rep was anonymous, I had one poster, with whom I disagreed regularly, send me neg rep and sign is as another poster, one who had some sort of odd fixation. Had I cared about rep enough to respond over it, it might have started a flame war. Thus, I think signed rep is a good thing.
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On the general topic, the board has not changed that much since we instituted rep, moved off RealGM, moved on RealGM, etc. Bullies will use rep when it is available, but will find ways to bully when it is not available. I don't see rep making a big difference.
Yeah, Vermin, or Verlin or Box (same person) is the guy who would sign other posters names. If ever there was a ban worthy offense I think that's it.