Using "Thanks" vs "likes" and when to give reputation

[elly]

I'm not entirely sure about the difference between "thanks" and "likes" though I assume "thanks" are more intensive. Also, I don't know when to give reputation. For example I've wanted to give deranged chipmunk one for helping with a tricky problem once but I wasn't sure if it was appropriate.

Also, I apologize if I've overlooked this in a faq somewhere.