Can you anyone explain the symbols on our avatars?

The flag, star, trophy...do they build toward anything once a certain amount is reached? What does each mean and how do we accrue them? If this is already answered elsewhere, my apologies. I searched and did not find any answers.

I'm not sure how the trophy and lighting bolt icons are calculated -- if you hover your cursor over them you'll see the trophy is your WATS (way above top secret) score, and the lightning bolt is your "karma" score. I have no idea how those get totaled, in fact the karma one says, "oddly calculated".

I don't know much, they don't let me peek under the engine hood, I'd probably break something.

a reply to: MystikMushroom

Thank you.

a reply to: michaeldeschain

Go to the Freshman Forum....how to's on everything are there.

a reply to: michaeldeschain

WATS, Karma, post count, star count.

WATS is used to allow you to post in certain forums, as is post count. For example, you have to have a certain WATS score to post in the 9/11 forum, and need 500 posts to post in the Posse Comitatus forum.

a reply to: michaeldeschain

Just a stab , sorry If I'm mistaken…

The little trophy (WATS) is incremented every time you post. The more content you contribute over time the higher the number.

Once upon a time I understood you need a certain WATS number to participate in the "Way Above Top Secret Forum".

It also requires a certain WATS "Score" to participate in the 911 forum (10, I think).

Thanks guys.

Oh, what is the Posse Comitatus forum...since ya brought it up?

a reply to: michaeldeschain

Posse Comitatus is a forum that talks about police activity, and allows limited discussion about drugs, such as legalization (no personal use), which is why it has the posting requirement.

If you get a million ATS points, I heard zaphod springer and tothetenth abduct you in theiddle of the night with the ATS saucer.

They take you to see "him".

You walk in and a figure in a black cloak that shadows his face slowly turns in his white swivel chair.

All the others bow, and they say here he is my lord.

With a flash SKepticOverLord himself pulls back his hood, and hurries toward you, you see the others shink in fear at his approach.

Your mind begins to whirl, what is going on, why are they scared, what is he going to to me?

And he rushes up and.....shakes your hand and tells you good job.

Pretty anticlimactic really.

a reply to: johnwick

Well that sounds fun.

I now have a new goal in life

originally posted by: michaeldeschain
a reply to: johnwick

Well that sounds fun.

I now have a new goal in life

Lol, ya their gonna punish me for letting the cat out of the bag.

If you think that sounds fun, you should hear what they do when you become a moderator.

First they "collect" you at night with......why did it get dark?

What's that sound?

There is a big disk with what looks like an ATS logo on it, oh shi.....

My apologies, my phone died mid post.

The rumors you have heard about the mods being chained to computer chairs in the ATS secret lair, cough ...excuse me I meant, super happy fun complex are complete fabrications.

The pure beings of light itself that run ATS would never do anything like that.

Being a mod is the greatest, the pay is outrageously high, the benefits are disgustingly great, and they get free bacon!!!

"Can I go now zaphod? I wrote everything you guys made me."

a reply to: johnwick

Just look right here at this light. You won't feel a thing.

a reply to: johnwick

The caves are the most interesting part. The ship is just some kind of set made from cardboard and tinfoil...the caves though, well...

SO has a pet bat that he's trained to say "Nevermore!" like the raven. We're given our robes (they're really just cheap Walmart bathrobes...I was disappointed) -- and thus begins our secret meeting.

I honestly don't know how I could've gotten 5 of those little trophy things!
LOL...I don't contribute valuable content like others but, certainly appreciate and read with an
insatiable appetite other people's material (I have my favorites!)
I post usually only if I have a strong opinion about something or just want to have fun in the
chit chat forum or whatever...
My goal is learning from others and expanding the way I and my family think about "things" in general...
I do love it here though!

originally posted by: MystikMushroom
a reply to: johnwick

The caves are the most interesting part. The ship is just some kind of set made from cardboard and tinfoil...the caves though, well...

SO has a pet bat that he's trained to say "Nevermore!" like the raven. We're given our robes (they're really just cheap Walmart bathrobes...I was disappointed) -- and thus begins our secret meeting.

Lol!!!

Can't quit laughing..."nevermore"...lol

a reply to: MystikMushroom

Are we going to have to adjust you again?

scoring system

I found this system, I have no idea if it is correct but it looks bloody complicated.

Hope this helps.

originally posted by: TNMockingbird
I honestly don't know how I could've gotten 5 of those little trophy things!
LOL...I don't contribute valuable content like others but, certainly appreciate and read with an
insatiable appetite other people's material (I have my favorites!)
I post usually only if I have a strong opinion about something or just want to have fun in the
chit chat forum or whatever...
My goal is learning from others and expanding the way I and my family think about "things" in general...
I do love it here though!

You aren't the only one.

ATS has really opened my eyes to a lot of things I was completely ignorant about.

I never trusted the gov, but that was only the tip of the iceberg.

"Nevermore"

Lol mystic, IMA be laughing all day about that, folks are gonna think I'm bat stuff crazy.

a reply to: Jonjonj

Hey, thanks a lot, quite thorough!

To the rest of you, hearty lols abound...

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: MystikMushroom

Are we going to have to adjust you again?

The flashy thing? They let you have the flashy thing but not me? *sigh*

Well, I don't blame them...I went a little nuts last time flashing everyone and putting them in compromising positions. I don't think the rest of the mod team appreciated the human pyramid I made with them all. Okay, yeah...I don't get the flashy thing anymore...