I couldn't find the details about how to earn merit as a newbie, and how to earn sMerit, I think this information is not here in this forum. I understand making useful posts will earn merit but what it means?
There are many posts and useful links above which can guide you on how to get merits for the posts. But if you are a good poster and want to keep it simple, do not think of the merits. They will come to you automatically if people like what you are posting.
Couldn't agree more with this. Your passion about quality posting will bring you all the merits you want, you won't be needing to put efforts and run after merits if you have all the qualities that needs to be developed as a quality poster. Just study everything you don't know and try to put up spices to your content, then everything will follow. Try building raport with everyone, who knows? Camaraderie could be a key to earn merits and help your account rank up.