AoPS Wiki:FAQ

This page should really be made to describe how AoPS works. Feel free to contribute to it. Let's see, probably want to discuss post ratings and the stars by user avatars since those questions get asked a lot. Hmm, what else?

Forums

• Can I change my user name?

No, this functionality is not enabled for both technical and abuse reasons. This is why when you register an account, it says in big, bold, red letters: Please choose your username carefully as you are not able to change it once registered.

• What do the stars under my username next to a forum post represent?

These stars represent the number of posts you have made in the forum. As you make more posts, more of the stars will fill. You could figure out how many posts are necessary to achieve a certain amount of stars by looking at other users, or you could decide to leave it for your own surprise. =)

• What is the difference between a forum, a thread, and a post?

Each blob of text that is posted by a user is a post. Posts that are grouped together (and numbered) make up a thread. A forum consisted of a catalog of all the threads within it.

• If I make more posts, it means I'm a better user, right?

Post quality is more important than post quantity, which is the reason the rating system exists.

• Who can see my post rating?

Only you, moderators, and admins.

• How do I get problems onto the contest page?

Make a topic for each question in the appropriate forum, copy/paste the urls to the National Olympiad. Your problems may eventually be submitted into the Contest page.