Not too sure how rep power is calculated (maybe from the number of different members or from certain member with higher posts...janina.. andaj) but reputation is awesome. Basically the more you have, the more people liked your posts as far as I understand.
I don't think it's an automatic thing, it increases everytime somebody adds to your reputation. I tried it
So hatebreed, James, Carte Blanche, Nasif, Chinaman, Mahmud.. all should thank me