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Levels & Point System

All new accounts begin with 50 free points. Asking questions costs you 10 points so you start with enough free points to ask 5 questions without requiring you to be active in our community. After that it is up to you to add points to your account using the point system shown in the chart below if you wish to continue asking questions to our community members.

Users are encouraged to be active in our community to gain points. Our system is designed to reward you for your participation. Helping out others by answering their questions wins you the most points. Users are also encouraged to make friends with other community members as this also earns you both valuable points in addition to networking opportunities.

Points System

Action	Points
Ways to Gain Points:
Answer a Question (with existing answers)	up to 35
Answer a Question "First"	up to 70
Choose a "Best Answer" To Your Own Question	10
Log in to Website	2
Vote "Thumbs Up" For An Answer	1
Your Answer Voted "Best Answer"	50
Your Answer Given "Thumbs Up" Vote	5
Make a New "Friend"	5
Someone Becomes Your "Follower"	5

Ways To Lose Points:
Ask a New Question	-10
Vote "Thumbs Down" For An Answer	-5
Your Answer Given "Thumbs Down" Vote	-10
Your Answer Reported As "Offensive / SPAM"	-35 *

* repeat offenders will have their account terminated.

User Level System

Our user level system has 10 levels which are explained below. As you continue to pick up points on our site by helping out others you will progress through this level system. Each level brings it's own prestige and will be noted on your account profile page as well as next to your name throughout the site where you have answers.

Progressing to the top levels of this system can be a great way to promote your web or offline business (hint: especially if you answer questions that are closely tied to your industry). Don't be surprised if you make a lot of new friends and start getting private requests to answer questions as your star rises in our community. Remember to always keep your personal profile information up to date to maximize the benefits of participating in our community.

Level	Level Status	Point Range
	Contributor	0 to 250	Introductory Levels
	Sophomore	251 to 750
	Helper	751 to 1500
	Tutor	1501 to 2500	Mid Range Levels
	Scholar	2501 to 5000
	Expert	5001 to 10,000
	Professional	10,001 to 25,000	Upper Levels
	Authority	25,001 to 50,000
	Master	50,001 to 100,000
	Genius	100,001 and Up	Top Level

Badge Reward System

In addition to the Level System users can pick up extra rewards along the way which will also display on your account profile called "badges". Show everyone how much of a superstar you are by trying to earn all of the badges in the list below.

Most badges may be won multiple times so feel free to go after them over and over again to build up your profile power.

BadgeName	How Badge Is Achieved
	Receive 100 total thumbs up votes
	Receive 250 total thumbs up votes
	Ask a question viewed by 100 users
	Ask a question viewed by 250 users
	Answer with 5 thumbs up votes
	Answer with 10 thumbs up votes
	Answer with 25 thumbs up votes
	Ask a question with 5 subscibers
	Ask a question with 10 subscribers
	Ask a question with 25 subscribers
	Answered 50 questions
	Answered 100 questions
	Answer voted "Best Answer" by person asking question
	5 Answers voted "Best Answer" by people asking questions
	Has 20 friends
	Has 100 friends
	Has 20 followers
	Has 100 followers
	First answer on 5 questions
	First answer on 20 questions
	Vote thumbs up on 25 answers
	Vote thumbs up on 100 answers
	Vote thumbs down on 25 answers
	Vote thumbs down on 100 answers
	Given to first 10,000 people to register a user account on the site