Update: Out of curiosity (and without checking to see if anyone has done this before, which surely someone has) here are the average numbers of days to achieve different levels of monktitude (starting from scratch) if one is simply to login everyday and cast all of one's votes:

Level    Days
2         40
3         63
4         81
5         101
6         127
7         177
8         234
9         309
10        398
11        498
12        607
13        707
14        861
15        1061
16        1274
17        1524
18        1877
19        2322
20        2953
21        3753
22        4706
23        5615
24        6484
25        7318
26        8118
27        8887
28        9628
[download]

Disclaimer:  For external use only.  No warranty of suitability or mer
+chantability for any particular purpose is implied.  Rounding errors 
+are fair game.
[download]

after you've mentioned paco I looked into discussion under his only question, and there in the discussion there is a mention that "He was listed as logging in as recently as July 11, 2002!" so he returned to site

But "last here" at his home node designates "Oct 27, 1999", and then how he managed to place photo?

There was some cheating somewhere, so paco isn't a good example after all.

Say! That reminds me. I haven't been using my votes. First 8 people who responded to this thread get a ++ from yours truly ;)

That said, the OP's example does seem to be an outlier case.

There is a user called RavingGoat. he has written only 4 writeups. but his level is 13. his total reputation is below hundred only. How certain users are reaching this kind of levels, eventhough there reputaions are less as expected. Could anyone clarify my doubt?

It's because people get XP for other things apart from writing articles. You also get XP for coming to the site daily, voting, etc.

Another case of taking reputation/levels too seriously. I for one have been accused of providing proof that 'Cobol can be written in any language' and have very few worthy write ups. But I show up virtually everyday and vote.. Check out the chatter in the chatter box as the day goes by, and look for nodes that interest me. This has gotten me my reputation -- not my Perl skills.

Note: Damn according to moklevat I'm about 2 levels behind! :)

I have a doubt.

Wow, a misuse of "doubt" that's close to correct. Anyhoo . . .

You don't have a "doubt", you have a "question". Your "question" is that you "doubt" that a user with only 4 writeups could be level 13 and would like to know how that happens. A "doubt" is a feeling of uncertainty; a "question" is an interrogative statement to elicit information.

This "English for Non-English Speakers" segment of "PerlMonks Street" was brought to you by a grant from the Carneigie Foundation, the letter "Y", and the number Γ(0.35).

For anyone who's ever had to deal with mapping ontologies, you'll find that there are problems when one language makes a distinction about two similar concepts, and the one you're mapping from doesn't.

This doubt/question one is a fairly common Indian -> English example. There are also languages that don't differentiate between blue/green, and sometimes, languages are missing words entirely (how long did it take before the concept of '0' caught on?)

Anyway, to keep this on topic -- both '0' and high level with minimal posting -- even with 4 postings, RavingGoat hasn't managed to catch up to khayos, who hasn't ever posted. There was a thread a while back, where someone had some 'score' with xp/posts, or something like that, but I can't find it.

Very true, but this does seem to happen fairly not infrequently (I know merlyn has noted it as well). Hopefully someone will see this and get that there is a difference and their English will be however slightly improved.

"Me fail English? That's unpossible" – Ralph Wiggum

Then again, the three exclamation marks in the title make it sound really doubtful/dubious ;)

Some people just write one work and live quite well off that.

Paco's seminal work is first and foremost among such nodes I doubt not.

What?!?!?!?! Does this mean naked women will not throw themselves at me for someday reaching the level of Cardinal?!?!??!!

Can I at least get a cup of coffee or a beer?

Can I at least get a cup of coffee or a beer?

No, but if you are nice to some people you might get a mug of tea, whilst if you treat others nicely you may wind up with some chocolates.

Or if you're the adventurous type, then there are always plenty of Vegemite™ sandwiches to be had...

Of course, if you happen to be after a pony, then you are completely out of luck - as this guy will attest to :)

No Bacon again!!

Also see Sainthood via Seniority Simulation.

If you can write a bot to post meaningful code answers, you deserve your rank :)

So boo_radley definitely deserves his level after uncovering merlyn's secret.

Do not rebuke them with harsh words ... but rather lead them gently - with URLs - so that they may learn wisdom.