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I was wondering how this works, do you ask for merit, do people just randomly give it out? I am unsure on how this whole thing works
I won't advice that you "ask" for merit. Like, "Hey, can you give me some merit? I would like to have one." I mean, I don't think it works that way. Merit is something that is given without you asking for it.
Usually, merit is given when a fellow forum member liked your comment to a thread or a thread you created. How do they like it? Well, that depends on them actually. There's no fixed criteria to give one some merits since all of us have different tastes and different point of views. Just think of it as the "like" or "reacts" you get in social media like Facebook.
So for me, in order to obtain merit, you have to post with a good quality. It doesn't have to be lengthy. It just have to be relevant to the topic being discussed. Also, try to click those links they've mentioned before me, then learn from it.
Welcome to the forum, by the way. Strive to learn and have fun!