/*======================================================================*\
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|| # vBExperience 3.8                                                 # ||
|| # ---------------------------------------------------------------- # ||
|| # Copyright 2006-2009 Marius Czyz. All Rights Reserved.           # ||
|| #################################################################### ||
\*======================================================================*/

Levels
vBExperience works with defined levels and points. You need to import at least one of the level products.
Attention: Importing a changed level XML needs to recount the xperience points via maintenance tools. Running the cron is not enough.


What level would you advise with X members?
These depends on many other factors. Just import a product, run a recount and take a look at the rankings:
- Top Members are up to level 30-40: Import a higher level.
- Top Members are up to level 60-70: Great. Just keep the level.
- Top Members are up to level 80: There is only small room for growing.
- Top Members are above level 90: Take a lower level.


List of levels
vbexperience_level_1_small.xml - for small boards up to 3000 users
vbexperience_level_2_average.xml - for average boards with around 3000-6000 Members
vbexperience_level_3_big.xml - for boards which have more than 7000 members
vbexperience_level_4_huge.xml - if "big" is not big enough for you
vbexperience_level_5_very_large.xml - Huge is too small?
vbexperience_level_6_ultra.xml - Ultimate users and postings
vbexperience_level_7_crazy.xml - Either you or your users are crazy ;)
vbexperience_level_70_WoW.xml - Levels made for a large World of Warcraft forum

It would be great to see more XML files  - feel free to share them, I'll include them in future releases.


How can I see what level XML I have imported?
Compare the version number of the Level product. Its major version is level_X.


Create your own levels
You can define the needed levels for your own - I've included an MS Excel Sheet with the raw data and also three XML Samples for small, average and big sites. Also, you have the possibility to decrease given points for e.g. posts and threads. 
The XML files are generated via vBExperience_Level.xls, copied to a text editor, removed tabs and copied to XML. Using it that way you can define your own levels and also promotions. Just do some experiments with the XLS sheet. Currently only levels from 0 to 100 are supported.

