Is there a link where these things are explained? Or does someone have the time and energy to explain them? What's up with the stars?

I am sure it is outlined somehwere, but who know WHERE??

And how/when do you stop being a newbie?

the reps explantion is in newcomers I believe

stars are really just an anonymous rating on threads - any member can rate any thread from 1 - 5 stars - i don't think ratings take effect until it gets a few ratings - it's really more for ego than anything really important

I lied:
http://weight-loss.fitness.com/news-...on-system.html\

http://weight-loss.fitness.com/topic...rep-power.html

http://weight-loss.fitness.com/feedb...ep-points.html

Thanks. I was just wondering about rep points because mine says I have 0 although three people have left rep for me. Not that is matters, I was just curious as to how it all worked. I am still not sure even witht he links you gave.
OH, well, ignorance is bliss, I hear

the rep points, from what i can tell - don't start to accumulate until you have a certain number of posts... as you can see your rep power is now 2 so the rep you were given is adding to your rep power

in your control panel - it shows you the total number of rep points you've accummulated... that effects the number of green bars you have and what it says onthe green bar when you float your mouse over it