Too bad...so sad

[dubob]

I'm just guessing here, but I THINK the number of stars is tied to your total number of posts.  Forrest and I have 8 stars and are both just shy of 3,000 posts.  Pat has over 33,000 posts and probably the max number of stars.

As to the 'Like' button, it is shown with a thumbs up hand on it and the label for it is 'Rate'.  That button is what controls your reputation.  You can't press your own button; you can only press other peoples buttons (that sounds ominous).  Pushing other peoples buttons will allow you to give them a 'reputation' - positive (good), negative (bad), or neutral.  If you look at your profile information posted along with your posts, you will see the last line that says 'Reputation: X' where the 'X' will indicate the number of ratings you have from other folks.

If the number is 1 or greater and you click on the number, you will see who rated you and any comments they have made about you or a post you made.  Check it out.