[pbmserv] General questions about ratings

[Robert Barrell <games@rdbhn.org>]

A) Is there existing documentation for this so I may seek the answers 
myself?  If so, where?  I couldn't find any.
B) Is the method the same for each type of game?  If not, what are the 
differences?
C) At what rating does a newcomer start?
D) How do wins, losses, and ties (respectively) affect rating?
E) How does the opponent's rating affect the rating after a particular game?
F) How do a game's options affect the rating after that game?
G) How many games, wins, losses (or some combination) does it take to 
move from "Provisional" to "Established"?  Are there other factors (e.g. 
time)?
H) Can an Established rating ever slip back to Provisional (e.g. not 
playing a certain number of games - or at all - for a certain amount of 
time)?
I) What else should one know about ratings that I haven't already asked?

Thanks!
 --Rob