What are the stars beside some members name for ?

The star represents the percentage approval rating on MyLot. You receive it after you have 100 posts and responses. You are at 40 right now. You want a 10 on a blue star if possible, but do not be discouraged if it comes out lower to start with. When you have 100 you will be able to rate others, just as we have rated you. + means your contribution was helpful and furthered the discussion. - means that you did not contribute in a positive manner, and ! will bring up a window for you to report abuse on the site.Abuse would be something like posting a link for referrals, or starting a flame war, or posting a bunch of characters that are nonsense, just to earn for the discussion. I am going to say to you what all the other old timers will say which is to read the FAQ s, and the guidelines. It gets old, but that is how you will maximize your experience here. When you can rate, do not mark people - if they disagree with you, that is not what that is designed for. I may have used it ten times total. I will do it if someone is being mean to someone else or too sarcastic and negative. If you use the ! button be prepared to type an explanation of why something is abuse. Good luck, you are doing well. Oh, and they really mean it when they say "please be as descriptive as possible."

From what i have known the higher the number of your star represent how active you are in the mylot community, how often you comment and create discussions...is rated. So basically its just a general standing, or level you have in the community. But sometimes the numbers go down if you become inactive less active in the mylot community.

You will find it all here: http://www.mylot.com/o/faq/faq11.aspx

Keep posting and someday suddenly you will have one. I dont know what the consideration the admin here have made that a member will get star with number. Suddenly someday not long after I asked the same question to one friend in here i find that star besides my name.. :D it doesnt mean anything to me... just a star with number. Big number doesntmean that you will earn 10x bigger thatn others.. I think its just an award for the contribution we made here.