Score
Score is your reputation. It only moves when other people respond to what you posted, never for your own actions on your own content. It's the quiet signal that tells everyone else whether to take what you say seriously.
Every problem, solution and comment starts at zero influence. When someone else validates your problem, marks your solution or comment helpful, or your problem gets solved, your Score goes up. When something you posted gets removed for breaking the guidelines, it goes down, but it never drops below zero, so one bad post doesn't follow you forever.
Someone validates your problem
+2Every “I have this too” on a problem you posted is a stranger saying your post was worth writing.
Your solution is marked helpful
+3Helpful marks are how the community filters real answers up from noise.
Your comment is marked helpful
+1Smaller signal, same idea, good context in a thread still counts.
Your problem gets marked solved
+15You closed the loop on something real. This is the single biggest Score event on the site.
Your solution is accepted
+25The author of the problem picked your answer as the one that actually worked.
Content you posted is removed
-10Moderators removing a post for breaking the guidelines costs Score. It never drops your total below zero.
Tiers unlock capability rather than gate basic participation, you can post, vote and comment from the moment you sign in.
New
Regular
Unlocks suggesting new categories.
Trusted
Expert