"I see this 'Proto Energy' bar on my posts and profile, but what the heck does it mean?"

Good question.

First off, I should mention that if your Proto Energy (PE) level is about half full (or half empty if you're a pessimist), then you're doing just fine. Every single member's PE level starts out at the halfway point and depending on your activity, may never change -- and that's okay.

PE is BZPower's equivalent of a merit/demerit system. Administrators and Moderators (within their forums) have the ability to nudge your PE level slightly higher or slightly lower should your activity at BZPower warrant it.

"What sorts of things might get me more Proto Energy?"

PE may be increased for such things as (but not limited to)...

Being particularly helpful or generous to another member

Coming up with a great idea which is implemented

Helping to keep a topic on track & thus reducing spam

Providing BZPower with an exclusive news tip

Becoming a Premier Member

"But I can lose Proto Energy? How can that happen?"

PE may be decreased for stuff like (but not limited to)...

Flaming of any kind

Excessive spamming and/or post inflation

Violations of BZPower's Forum Rules & Guidelines

"So my PE level may go up or down. Why should I care?"

Well, you might not particularly care, but other members will. When you see a member with a very high Proto Energy level, that's an indicator that he's an outstanding BZPower member, and known to go out of his way, above and beyond to help the membership and strengthen the community.

A member running low on Proto Energy may indicate something else entirely.

Finally, one more little note worth mentioning. Should your PE level reach empty, your posting privileges are instantly and automatically suspended pending review by an Administrator. Yikes!

Guidelines ammended by Bionicle Rex. 2/27/03

Right now this is only something for a few members, but everybody has a chance to get this.

It occured to me that if you loose all your proto, you get suspended. However, if you get full proto, you get nothing. Well, that is about to change.

People who get full proto will get two things:
1) They will be put into the Outstanding BZPower Citizens member group
2) They will receive a Copper Mask of Victory in the mail courtesy of The LEGO Company. TLC agreed to send BZP a small supply of MoVs and they will be given away to those who have earned it.

Mods and STs do not qualify to get the new member group, but all mods and STs appointed from here on forth who have full proto will receive the MoV.

After all this time, I've finally run out of Copper Hunas. Therefore, when a member becomes an outstanding citizen, they will receive a Limited Edition Comic-Con Comic 1 in place of the Huna.

UPDATE: Now just the rank will be changed -- nothing in the mail