I like the StackOverflow reputation model, and don't think of it as "elitist" at all. On SO, users earn reputation over time by providing well thought out answers, and asking good questions that are relevant to the broader communtity.
Dribbbles model (last time I checked) was to only allow users to post if they're already accepted by an existing member. That seems more elitist, i.e. "It's not what you know, it's who you know".
I like the StackOverflow reputation model, and don't think of it as "elitist" at all. On SO, users earn reputation over time by providing well thought out answers, and asking good questions that are relevant to the broader communtity.
Dribbbles model (last time I checked) was to only allow users to post if they're already accepted by an existing member. That seems more elitist, i.e. "It's not what you know, it's who you know".