Reputation

Would anyone like to explain the new "reputation" points system? Is there any benefits/consequences to good/bad behavior, or how does the new system work? Is the system even new, I haven't been on in at least 9 months! :eek:

~Incidents

Total mystery to me, I have 10 (I think !) I don't really know from where and so far no one has brought me any beer or threatened to chop my legs off so, I guess Im stumped (or not as the case may be !!)!