theres 3 kinds of rep....good, good from members with less than 50 points(rep shows up but doesnt raise your your levels), and bad rep.
when you have less than 50 posts your rep doesnt count. recieving or handing out. its to stop people from making duplicate accounts and going rep crazy.
edit options very bottom skin change
back when non-elite members had neg rep privleges neg from low posters would show as the same color.That makes sense - thanks for all the responses. I woke up much happier this morning now.