How does this work?

[inphanta]

Apologies if I've posted this in the wrong forum, but I'm curious as to how the user star and rep power ratings are determined. What affords users with star ratings and what criteria sets one on "a distinguished road"? From what I have seen, it appears to be entirely random.

Is it purely down to post count or quality? And if it is the latter, then how is it that some people who've posted rubbish (not mentioning any names...) manage to get any rep points at all? And if it is the former, then how have some newer members with small post counts got multiple star ratings?

I'm relatively new here myself, so I ask purely out of curiosity. I assume this system is designed to serve some sort of purpose, so I would like to know what governs it.

Thanks.

[mwyna]

Someone said the other day you get more stars by more post counts. I think the next one is at 50 so you have only one to go.
For the distinguished road, you can give or take away points from people via the scales icon in the top right corner of a persons posts. I am guessing you start out with a certain ammount but I could be wrong. I don't have a clue how to go to the next rep level ie how many points you need. Or how many you have to lose to go down, what happens if you get minus etc. Hopefully someone will be along to clarify this better for you.