What is the whole * thing about?

[FionnMac]

Can anybody tell what this is for, it seems i have just been given one. Not that i'm particularly bothered what kinda rating or whatever i have, i'm just curious. Also why are certain posters name's in black, and how does the whole sub-title thing work with carpel/tunnel, poog-bah etc?

Sorry if these are very noobb questions for a guy with 1k posts, i've just never know this stuff! cheers