Before, there used to be a more noticeable reputation icon and now it's very hard to see and people barely use it. There are some people who gives useful information and get no rep because users don't see it. I think it should be put at the top right or top left of the post where everyone can easily identify it. Just a suggestion.
I came back to DP after a few months break and for once I thought the Rep system had been done with in VB4 until I saw that star when I was reporting a post, only after clicking on it did I know that its the Rep button. I wonder how long would it take new members to figure out what the star is for and that something like rep exists. I would suggest a "+/-" sign next to the green blobs to make it more obvious.