While many forums allocate ranks according to number of posts and length of membership, TerraGeneis let's members choose their own rank as a means of indicating how they would like their work to be assessed by others. The three ranks are Beginner, Competent, and Expert.
Beginner - Think of this as being a bit like an 'L' plate on the back of a car. It tells others that the driver is new to the road, that we should expect them to be a bit hesitant, make the odd mistake, etc, and that we should allow for that and give them the extra space and time that they need. In the context of TerraGenesis, a member who describes themselves as a beginner should be applauded for what they get right with only a few gentle pointers about how they might improve.
Competent - This can really only be described as being somewhere in between Beginner and Expert.
Expert - A member who describes themselves as "Expert" is used to being told "Wow, that's great" and although such comments are always nice to receive these members have described themselves are Expert because they'd like to hear any reasonable suggestions that others have about how they might get even better at what they do.
<h1>VERY IMPORTANT NOTES:</h1>
The higher ranks are not an invitation to be excessively critical about another members work. Do not go out of your way to look for things to criticise. NEVER make a criticism without also suggesting how it could have been done better.
Always consider the style and ethos of the model maker. There's no point telling a member who's likes to make cartoonish terrain using kitchen waste that a piece could be made more realistic (not his style) if he went out and spent X on Y (not part of his ethos). A terrain maker who prefers and works in a given style is not going to be interested in hearing that you prefer something else. If you can tell him how to achieve better results in his chosen style, that's different and he'll probably welcome it.
Remember, that your chosen rank is intended to give others an indication of how you would like them to assess your work. If you make silly or unnecessarily critical comments about another members work don't expect them to treat you gently in their response to your comment.