Why is it so hard to go up in grade on IGS? I have won about 125 and lost 109, and I've been on like a 15 game winning streak. In my last game I even beat an 11k (I'm currently 15k). Is it something about the time setting? Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

IGS has a pretty well defined ranking system (http://pandanet-igs.com/communities/pandanet/60). Note that unlike KGS and some other servers, you get a certain number of ranking points per win and lose a certain number per loss. Once you're out of the provisional rankings you'll have to win a lot of games to go up a rank - about 12 wins (with no losses!) per full stone. Also, games with players who have a rank more than 3.5 stones different from your own ranking don't award ranking points, so if you're playing games with an 11k they won't help you go up at all.

Supplement to post 2:

Both IGS and KGS have very well defined ranking systems.

On IGS, you can see your exact rating number before a rated game, and afterwards. Your new rating after each rated game is very simple: basic addition for a win, basic subtraction for a loss.

Thanks a lot for the reply.