What do the stars next to some of the Achievements mean?

If you click on them they'll show you what they offer. Usually it means there's a prize attached to the achievement for completing it. Like an item or a forum title.

Thanks .

I just achieved one, but the prize isn't in my inventory... ?

the achievements and the site itself has been all kinds of wonky sadly.... if you haven't gotten your prize you may need to file a ticket.

where does one do that?

http://subeta.net/tickets.php

Go to create and then there should be a section dedicated to achievements and a section there to file under missing items. If not you can just look for the link about missing items and explain that you got an achievement but never got the item. Good luck.

Thanks for the help, . Has the site been glitchy like this for a while?

All weekend for most people, it's been off and on glitchy for a few days but the servers are trying to fix something. There is a news post today you can read about whenever you're up for it.

I am trying to understand the achievement system too and Im glad you asked about the stars - does anyone know if there is a very basic guide to understanding the achievement system?

Im not sure if it is not working quite right or I am just not understanding the way the site shows it all but Im confused to say the least - Im not just talking about today with the servers btw I have been trying to get my head round it all week - doh lol

there is no such guide. There's a list of achievements and their prizes on the Subeta Wikia, but no not really. There is a Forum for Achievements, so you could look at the stickied thread Useful Achievement Threads, and maybe you can piece together an understanding from them?

thanks that helps I will look at both of those and see if I can work it out :)