This stuff is still in flux but you'll be able to see where we're going soon as we clean up the semantics.

When we're done a user will have 3 types of useful data displayed on them:

1) Access (how much access they have on the site)
2) Class (subscriber? registered user? etc.)
3) Experience (level 1 through infinite)

We don't have the third type implemented yet because we have to clean up the point system.  Basically your experience will be determined by the number of total points you have generated through your articles, skins, posts, comments, etc.  Think of it as your overall contribution.  This score is multiplied by your class (1 through 5).

On yoru account you'll eventually have a bar that will show you how close you are to the next level. The higher the level you are, the more you have contributed to the community and we will provide additional goodies to those people who are higher level.  The system is designed as a way for us to reward and thank people who are helping out on the site in a more objective manner.

High level users will get special icons by their name when they post and such as well as get extra "coverage" when they make new posts submit new skins and the like (though we're still working through that).  If you have any suggestions on what kinds of things you would like us to provide for people that have really helped out let us know.