diff --git a/db/manifest b/db/manifest
index 9808e5748..04ad4b590 100755
--- a/db/manifest
+++ b/db/manifest
@@ -72,3 +72,4 @@ isp_score_batch.sql
 crash_dumps.sql
 crash_dumps_idx.sql
 music_sessions_user_history_add_session_removed_at.sql
+user_progress_tracking.sql
diff --git a/db/up/user_progress_tracking.sql b/db/up/user_progress_tracking.sql
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..09c06fb75
--- /dev/null
+++ b/db/up/user_progress_tracking.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+-- tracks how users are progessing through the site: https://jamkazam.atlassian.net/wiki/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=3375145
+
+alter table music_sessions_user_history add column max_concurrent_connections integer;
+alter table music_sessions_user_history add column rating integer;
+alter table users add column last_failed_certified_gear_at TIMESTAMP;
+alter table users add column last_failed_certified_gear_reason varchar(256);
+alter table users add column first_downloaded_client_at TIMESTAMP;
+alter table users add column first_ran_client_at TIMESTAMP;
+alter table users add column first_certified_gear_at TIMESTAMP;
+alter table users add column first_music_session_at TIMESTAMP;
+alter table users add column first_real_music_session_at TIMESTAMP;
+alter table users add column first_good_music_session_at TIMESTAMP;
+alter table users add column first_invited_at TIMESTAMP;
+alter table users add column first_friended_at TIMESTAMP;
+alter table users add column first_social_promoted_at TIMESTAMP;
diff --git a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/connection_manager.rb b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/connection_manager.rb
index 1161e14b4..e79ee8b29 100644
--- a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/connection_manager.rb
+++ b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/connection_manager.rb
@@ -263,8 +263,7 @@ SQL
             if result.cmd_tuples == 1
               # music session deleted!
               @log.debug("deleted music session #{previous_music_session_id}")
-              JamRuby::MusicSessionHistory.removed_music_session(user_id, 
-                                                                 previous_music_session_id)
+              JamRuby::MusicSessionHistory.removed_music_session(previous_music_session_id)
             elsif 1 < result.cmd_tuples
               msg = "music_sessions table data integrity violation; multiple rows found with music_session_id=#{previous_music_session_id}"
               @log.error(msg)
@@ -296,6 +295,7 @@ SQL
           raise ActiveRecord::Rollback
         else
           blk.call(db_conn, connection) unless blk.nil?
+          user.update_progression_field(:first_music_session_at)
           MusicSessionUserHistory.save(music_session_id, user_id, client_id)
         end
       end
diff --git a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/friendship.rb b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/friendship.rb
index 52132d889..4a175e81d 100644
--- a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/friendship.rb
+++ b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/friendship.rb
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ module JamRuby
     belongs_to :user, :class_name => "JamRuby::User", :foreign_key => "user_id", :inverse_of => :inverse_friendships
     belongs_to :friend, :class_name => "JamRuby::User", :foreign_key => "friend_id", :inverse_of => :friendships
 
+    after_save :track_user_progression
+
     def self.save(user_id, friend_id)
       friendship = Friendship.where("user_id='#{user_id}' AND friend_id='#{friend_id}'")
 
@@ -60,5 +62,9 @@ module JamRuby
         friends = friends.limit(options[:limit])
         return friends
     end
+
+    def track_user_progression
+      self.user.update_progression_field(:first_friended_at)
+    end
   end
 end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/invited_user.rb b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/invited_user.rb
index 47069c43e..059e2170e 100644
--- a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/invited_user.rb
+++ b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/invited_user.rb
@@ -22,12 +22,18 @@ module JamRuby
     validate :not_accepted_twice
     validate :can_invite?
 
+    after_save :track_user_progression
+
     # ensure invitation code is always created
     before_validation(:on => :create) do
       self.invitation_code = SecureRandom.urlsafe_base64 if self.invitation_code.nil?
       self.sender_id = nil if self.sender_id.blank? # this coercion was done just to make activeadmin work
     end
 
+    def track_user_progression
+      self.sender.update_progression_field(:first_invited_at) unless self.sender.nil?
+    end
+
     def self.index(user)
       return InvitedUser.where(:sender_id => user).order(:updated_at)
     end
@@ -60,7 +66,5 @@ module JamRuby
     def not_accepted_twice
       errors.add(:accepted, "you can only accept an invitation once") if accepted_twice
     end
-
-
   end
 end
diff --git a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/music_session.rb b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/music_session.rb
index d3c7660cc..c61246b53 100644
--- a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/music_session.rb
+++ b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/music_session.rb
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ module JamRuby
     after_save :require_at_least_one_genre, :limit_max_genres
 
     after_destroy do |obj|
-      JamRuby::MusicSessionHistory.removed_music_session(obj.user_id, obj.id)
+      JamRuby::MusicSessionHistory.removed_music_session(obj.id)
     end
 
     validates :description, :presence => true, :no_profanity => true
diff --git a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/music_session_history.rb b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/music_session_history.rb
index 0165476d8..f87154c31 100644
--- a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/music_session_history.rb
+++ b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/music_session_history.rb
@@ -67,14 +67,29 @@ module JamRuby
       session_history.save!
     end
 
-    def self.removed_music_session(user_id, session_id)
+    def end_history
+      self.update_attribute(:session_removed_at, Time.now)
+
+
+      # ensure all user histories are closed
+      music_session_user_histories.each do |music_session_user_history|
+        music_session_user_history.end_history
+
+        # then update any users that need their user progress updated
+        if music_session_user_history.duration_minutes > 15 && music_session_user_history.max_concurrent_connections >= 3
+          music_session_user_history.user.update_progression_field(:first_real_music_session_at)
+        end
+      end
+
+    end
+
+    def self.removed_music_session(session_id)
       hist = self
-        .where(:user_id => user_id)
         .where(:music_session_id => session_id)
         .limit(1)
         .first
-      hist.update_attribute(:session_removed_at, Time.now) if hist
-      JamRuby::MusicSessionUserHistory.removed_music_session(user_id, session_id)
+
+      hist.end_history if hist
     end
 
     def duration_minutes
diff --git a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/music_session_user_history.rb b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/music_session_user_history.rb
index 080298faa..5b9fcf258 100644
--- a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/music_session_user_history.rb
+++ b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/music_session_user_history.rb
@@ -5,11 +5,16 @@ module JamRuby
 
     self.primary_key = 'id'
 
+    attr_accessible :max_concurrent_connections, :session_removed_at, :rating
+
     belongs_to(:user, 
                :class_name => "JamRuby::User", 
                :foreign_key => "user_id", 
                :inverse_of => :music_session_user_histories)
 
+    validates_inclusion_of :rating, :in => 0..2, :allow_nil => true
+    after_save :track_user_progression
+
     def music_session_history
       @msh ||= JamRuby::MusicSessionHistory.find_by_music_session_id(self.music_session_id)
     end
@@ -41,12 +46,60 @@ module JamRuby
         .where(:music_session_id => session_id)
         .limit(1)
         .first
-      hist.update_attribute(:session_removed_at, Time.now) if hist
+      hist.end_history if hist
+    end
+
+    def end_history
+      self.session_removed_at = Time.now if self.session_removed_at.nil?
+
+      self.update_attributes(:session_removed_at => self.session_removed_at, :max_concurrent_connections => determine_max_concurrent)
+    end
+
+    # figures out what the peak amount of other clients the user saw while playing at any given time.
+    # we use the database to get all other connections that occurred while their this user was connected,
+    # and then sort through them using custom logic to increase/decrease the count as people come and go
+    def determine_max_concurrent
+      overlapping_connections = MusicSessionUserHistory.where("music_session_id = ? AND
+                                    ((created_at >= ? AND (session_removed_at is NULL OR session_removed_at <= ?)) OR
+                                    (created_at <= ? AND (session_removed_at is NULL OR session_removed_at >= ?)))",
+                                                              self.music_session_id, self.created_at, self.session_removed_at, self.created_at, self.created_at).select('id, created_at, session_removed_at').order(:created_at)
+      in_out_times = []
+      overlapping_connections.each do |connection|
+        in_out_times.push([connection.created_at.nil? ? Time.at(0) : connection.created_at, true])
+        in_out_times.push([connection.session_removed_at.nil? ? Time.new(3000) : connection.session_removed_at, false]) #helpful to get rid of nulls for sorting
+      end
+
+      count_concurrent(in_out_times)
+    end
+
+    def count_concurrent(in_out_times)
+      in_out_times.sort!
+
+      max_concurrent = 0
+      concurrent = 0
+
+      in_out_times.each do |hit|
+        if hit[1]
+          concurrent = concurrent + 1
+        else
+          concurrent = concurrent - 1
+        end
+
+        if concurrent > max_concurrent
+          max_concurrent = concurrent
+        end
+      end
+      max_concurrent
     end
 
     def perf_uri
       self.perf_data.try(:uri)
     end
-    
+
+    def track_user_progression
+      if self.rating == 0
+        user.update_progression_field(:first_good_music_session_at)
+      end
+    end
   end
 end
diff --git a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/user.rb b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/user.rb
index 0e2c4d1ac..14133dc49 100644
--- a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/user.rb
+++ b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/user.rb
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ module JamRuby
     attr_accessible :first_name, :last_name, :email, :city, :password, :password_confirmation, :state, :country, :birth_date, :subscribe_email, :terms_of_service, :original_fpfile, :cropped_fpfile, :cropped_s3_path, :photo_url, :crop_selection
 
     # updating_password corresponds to a lost_password
-    attr_accessor :updating_password, :updating_email, :updated_email, :update_email_confirmation_url, :administratively_created, :current_password, :setting_password, :confirm_current_password, :updating_avatar
+    attr_accessor :updating_password, :updating_email, :updated_email, :update_email_confirmation_url, :administratively_created, :current_password, :setting_password, :confirm_current_password, :updating_avatar, :updating_progression_field
 
     # authorizations (for facebook, etc -- omniauth)
     has_many :user_authorizations, :class_name => "JamRuby::UserAuthorization"
@@ -133,6 +133,24 @@ module JamRuby
     validate :email_case_insensitive_uniqueness
     validate :update_email_case_insensitive_uniqueness, :if => :updating_email
 
+    def user_progression_fields
+      @user_progression_fields ||= Set.new ["first_downloaded_client_at", "first_ran_client_at", "first_music_session_at", "first_real_music_session_at", "first_good_music_session_at", "first_certified_gear_at", "first_invited_at", "first_friended_at", "first_social_promoted_at" ]
+    end
+
+    def update_progression_field(field_name, time = DateTime.now)
+      @updating_progression_field = true
+      if self[field_name].nil?
+        self[field_name] = time
+        self.save
+      end
+    end
+
+    def failed_qualification(reason)
+      self.last_failed_certified_gear_at = DateTime.now
+      self.last_failed_certified_gear_reason = reason
+      self.save
+    end
+
     def validate_musician_instruments
       errors.add(:musician_instruments, ValidationMessages::INSTRUMENT_MINIMUM_NOT_MET) if !administratively_created && musician && musician_instruments.length == 0
       errors.add(:musician_instruments, ValidationMessages::INSTRUMENT_LIMIT_EXCEEDED) if !administratively_created && musician && musician_instruments.length > 5
diff --git a/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/friendship_spec.rb b/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/friendship_spec.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ba3a42914
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/friendship_spec.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+require 'spec_helper'
+
+describe Friendship do
+
+  let(:user1) { FactoryGirl.create(:user) }
+  let(:user2) { FactoryGirl.create(:user) }
+
+  before(:each) do
+    Friendship.save_using_models(user1, user2)
+  end
+
+  it "can create two-way friendship" do
+    user1.friends?(user2).should be_true
+    user2.friends?(user1).should be_true
+  end
+
+  it "should track user progression" do
+    user1.first_friended_at.should_not be_nil
+    user2.first_friended_at.should_not be_nil
+  end
+
+
+end
diff --git a/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/invited_user_spec.rb b/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/invited_user_spec.rb
index b3de880b5..0ccf6865e 100644
--- a/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/invited_user_spec.rb
+++ b/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/invited_user_spec.rb
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ describe InvitedUser do
     invited_user.sender.should_not be_nil
     invited_user.note.should be_nil
     invited_user.invited_by_administrator?.should be_false
+    #invited_user.sender.reload
+    invited_user.sender.first_invited_at.should_not be_nil
   end
 
   it 'create an invitation from admin-user' do
diff --git a/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/music_sessions_user_history_spec.rb b/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/music_sessions_user_history_spec.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c0acbc01b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/music_sessions_user_history_spec.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,146 @@
+require 'spec_helper'
+
+describe MusicSessionUserHistory do
+
+  let(:some_user) { FactoryGirl.create(:user) }
+  let(:music_session) { FactoryGirl.create(:music_session) }
+  let(:history) { FactoryGirl.create(:music_session_history, :music_session => music_session) }
+  let(:user_history1) { FactoryGirl.create(:music_session_user_history, :history => history, :user => music_session.creator) }
+  let(:user_history2) { FactoryGirl.create(:music_session_user_history, :history => history, :user => some_user) }
+
+  describe "create" do
+    it {user_history1.music_session_id.should == music_session.id }
+    it {user_history1.created_at.should_not be_nil }
+    it {user_history1.session_removed_at.should be_nil }
+  end
+
+  describe "rating" do
+
+    describe "success" do
+
+      before(:each) do
+        user_history1.update_attribute(:rating ,0)
+      end
+
+      it { user_history1.errors.any?.should be_false}
+    end
+
+    describe "out of range"  do
+      before(:each) do
+        user_history1.update_attribute(:rating, 3)
+        user_history1.save
+      end
+
+      it { user_history1.errors.any?.should be_true}
+    end
+
+  end
+
+  describe "end_history" do
+
+    it "histories created at the same time" do
+      user_history1.reload
+      user_history2.reload
+      user_history1.end_history
+      user_history1.max_concurrent_connections.should == 2
+    end
+
+    it "history2 ends before history1 starts" do
+      user_history2.created_at = user_history1.created_at - 2
+      user_history2.session_removed_at = user_history1.created_at - 1
+      user_history2.save.should be_true
+      user_history1.reload
+      user_history2.reload
+      user_history1.end_history
+      user_history1.max_concurrent_connections.should == 1
+    end
+
+    it "history2 starts after history1 starts" do
+      user_history2.created_at = user_history1.created_at + 1
+      user_history2.session_removed_at = user_history1.created_at + 2
+      user_history2.save.should be_true
+      user_history1.reload
+      user_history2.reload
+      user_history1.end_history
+      user_history1.max_concurrent_connections.should == 1
+    end
+
+    it "history2 is within bounds of history1 " do
+      user_history1.session_removed_at = user_history1.created_at + 3
+      user_history2.created_at = user_history1.created_at + 1
+      user_history2.session_removed_at = user_history1.created_at + 2
+      user_history1.save.should be_true
+      user_history2.save.should be_true
+      user_history1.reload
+      user_history2.reload
+      user_history1.end_history
+      user_history1.max_concurrent_connections.should == 2
+    end
+
+    it "two histories with same user within bounds of history1" do
+      user_history3 = FactoryGirl.create(:music_session_user_history, :history => history, :user => some_user)
+
+      # if user2 comes and goes 2 times while user one is there, it shouldn't be a false 3
+      user_history1.session_removed_at = user_history1.created_at + 5
+      user_history2.created_at = user_history1.created_at + 1
+      user_history2.session_removed_at = user_history1.created_at + 2
+      user_history3.created_at = user_history1.created_at + 3
+      user_history3.session_removed_at = user_history1.created_at + 4
+      user_history1.save.should be_true
+      user_history2.save.should be_true
+      user_history3.save.should be_true
+      user_history1.reload
+      user_history2.reload
+      user_history3.reload
+      user_history1.end_history
+      user_history1.max_concurrent_connections.should == 2
+    end
+
+    it "two histories with different user within bounds of history1" do
+      third_user = FactoryGirl.create(:user);
+
+      user_history3 = FactoryGirl.create(:music_session_user_history, :history => history, :user => third_user)
+
+      # if user2 comes and goes 2 times while user one is there, it shouldn't be a false 3
+      user_history1.session_removed_at = user_history1.created_at + 5
+      user_history2.created_at = user_history1.created_at + 1
+      user_history2.session_removed_at = user_history1.created_at + 2
+      user_history3.created_at = user_history1.created_at + 3
+      user_history3.session_removed_at = user_history1.created_at + 4
+      user_history1.save.should be_true
+      user_history2.save.should be_true
+      user_history3.save.should be_true
+      user_history1.reload
+      user_history2.reload
+      user_history3.reload
+      user_history1.end_history
+      user_history1.max_concurrent_connections.should == 2
+    end
+
+    it "two overlapping histories with different user within bounds of history1" do
+      third_user = FactoryGirl.create(:user);
+
+      user_history3 = FactoryGirl.create(:music_session_user_history, :history => history, :user => third_user)
+
+      # if user2 comes and goes 2 times while user one is there, it shouldn't be a false 3
+      user_history1.session_removed_at = user_history1.created_at + 5
+      user_history2.created_at = user_history1.created_at + 1
+      user_history2.session_removed_at = user_history1.created_at + 3
+      user_history3.created_at = user_history1.created_at + 2
+      user_history3.session_removed_at = user_history1.created_at + 4
+      user_history1.save.should be_true
+      user_history2.save.should be_true
+      user_history3.save.should be_true
+      user_history1.reload
+      user_history2.reload
+      user_history3.reload
+      user_history1.end_history
+      user_history1.max_concurrent_connections.should == 3
+    end
+
+
+  end
+
+end
+
+
diff --git a/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/user_spec.rb b/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/user_spec.rb
index a0f7cd418..df1c01ef7 100644
--- a/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/user_spec.rb
+++ b/ruby/spec/jam_ruby/models/user_spec.rb
@@ -243,6 +243,23 @@ describe User do
     its(:remember_token) { should_not be_blank }
   end
 
+  describe "user progression only touches once" do
+    it "allows first touch" do
+      @user.update_progression_field (:first_downloaded_client_at)
+      @user.errors.any?.should be_false
+      @user.first_downloaded_client_at.should_not be_nil
+    end
+
+    it "ignores second touch" do
+      time = DateTime.now - 1
+      @user.update_progression_field(:first_downloaded_client_at, time)
+      first_value = @user.first_downloaded_client_at
+      @user.update_progression_field(:first_downloaded_client_at)
+      @user.errors.any?.should be_false
+      @user.first_downloaded_client_at.should == first_value
+    end
+  end
+
   describe "authenticate (class-instance)" do
     before { @user.email_confirmed=true; @user.save }
     
diff --git a/web/app/assets/javascripts/ftue.js b/web/app/assets/javascripts/ftue.js
index 700a44f5e..c5567d6eb 100644
--- a/web/app/assets/javascripts/ftue.js
+++ b/web/app/assets/javascripts/ftue.js
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
     context.JK.FtueWizard = function(app) {
         context.JK.FtueWizard.latencyTimeout = true;
         context.JK.FtueWizard.latencyMS = Number.MAX_VALUE;
+        var rest = context.JK.Rest();
 
         var logger = context.JK.logger;
         var jamClient = context.jamClient;
@@ -110,10 +111,14 @@
                 logger.debug(latencyMS + " is <= 20. Setting FTUE status to true");
                 ftueSave(true); // Save the profile
                 context.jamClient.FTUESetStatus(true); // No FTUE wizard next time
+                rest.userCertifiedGear({success:true});
 
                 // notify anyone curious about how it went
                 $('div[layout-id=ftue]').trigger('ftue_success');
             }
+            else {
+                rest.userCertifiedGear({success:false, reason:"latency=" + latencyMS});
+            }
 
             updateGauge();
         }
diff --git a/web/app/assets/javascripts/jam_rest.js b/web/app/assets/javascripts/jam_rest.js
index da68657ea..37f37ec4f 100644
--- a/web/app/assets/javascripts/jam_rest.js
+++ b/web/app/assets/javascripts/jam_rest.js
@@ -213,6 +213,44 @@
             return deferred;
         }
 
+        function userDownloadedClient(options) {
+
+            return $.ajax({
+                type: "POST",
+                dataType: "json",
+                contentType: 'application/json',
+                url: "/api/users/progression/downloaded_client",
+                processData: false
+            });
+        }
+
+        function userCertifiedGear(options) {
+
+            return $.ajax({
+                type: "POST",
+                dataType: "json",
+                contentType: 'application/json',
+                url: "/api/users/progression/certified_gear",
+                processData: false,
+                data: JSON.stringify({
+                    success: options.success,
+                    reason: options.reason
+                })
+            });
+        }
+
+        function userSocialPromoted(options) {
+            var id = getId(options);
+
+            return $.ajax({
+                type: "POST",
+                dataType: "json",
+                contentType: 'application/json',
+                url: "/api/users/progression/social_promoted",
+                processData: false
+            });
+        }
+
         function signout() {
             return $.ajax({
                 type: "DELETE",
@@ -245,6 +283,9 @@
         this.serverHealthCheck = serverHealthCheck;
         this.acceptFriendRequest = acceptFriendRequest;
         this.signout = signout;
+        this.userDownloadedClient = userDownloadedClient;
+        this.userCertifiedGear = userCertifiedGear;
+        this.userSocialPromoted = userSocialPromoted;
 
         return this;
     };
diff --git a/web/app/assets/javascripts/landing/downloads.js b/web/app/assets/javascripts/landing/downloads.js
index 0c45f2889..b06a8975f 100644
--- a/web/app/assets/javascripts/landing/downloads.js
+++ b/web/app/assets/javascripts/landing/downloads.js
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
                         var download = $(context._.template($('#client-download-link').html(), options, { variable: 'data' }));
 
                         download.find('a').data('platform', platform).click(function() {
+                            rest.userDownloadedClient();
                             context.JK.GA.trackDownload($(this).data('platform'));
                         });
 
diff --git a/web/app/controllers/api_controller.rb b/web/app/controllers/api_controller.rb
index b3ae388e4..2d1e54c5d 100644
--- a/web/app/controllers/api_controller.rb
+++ b/web/app/controllers/api_controller.rb
@@ -36,4 +36,13 @@ class ApiController < ApplicationController
       
       @user = User.find(params[:id])
     end
+
+    def optional_auth_user
+      if current_user.nil?
+        @user = nil
+      else
+        auth_user
+      end
+
+    end
 end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/web/app/controllers/api_music_sessions_controller.rb b/web/app/controllers/api_music_sessions_controller.rb
index b0a6cb22b..59a2fd280 100644
--- a/web/app/controllers/api_music_sessions_controller.rb
+++ b/web/app/controllers/api_music_sessions_controller.rb
@@ -109,6 +109,19 @@ class ApiMusicSessionsController < ApiController
     respond_with @connection, responder: ApiResponder
   end
 
+  def participant_rating
+      @history = MusicSessionUserHistory.find(params[:id])
+      @history.rating = params[:rating]
+      @history.save
+
+      if @history.errors.any?
+        response.status = :unprocessable_entity
+        respond_with @history
+      else
+        render :json => {}, :status => :ok
+      end
+  end
+
   def lookup_session
     @music_session = MusicSession.find(params[:id])
   end
diff --git a/web/app/controllers/api_users_controller.rb b/web/app/controllers/api_users_controller.rb
index 3b471097c..d55649882 100644
--- a/web/app/controllers/api_users_controller.rb
+++ b/web/app/controllers/api_users_controller.rb
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ class ApiUsersController < ApiController
                 :notification_index, :notification_destroy, # notifications
                 :band_invitation_index, :band_invitation_show, :band_invitation_update, # band invitations
                 :set_password, :begin_update_email, :update_avatar, :delete_avatar, :generate_filepicker_policy]
-
   respond_to :json
 
   def index
@@ -529,6 +528,48 @@ class ApiUsersController < ApiController
 
   end
 
+
+  # user progression tracking
+  def downloaded_client
+    @user = current_user
+    @user.update_progression_field(:first_downloaded_client_at)
+
+      if @user.errors.any?
+        respond_with @user, :status => :unprocessable_entity
+        return
+     end
+    render :json => {}, :status => 200
+
+  end
+  # user progression tracking
+  def qualified_gear
+    @user = current_user
+    if params[:success]
+      @user.update_progression_field(:first_certified_gear_at)
+    else
+      @user.failed_qualification(params[:reason])
+    end
+
+    if @user.errors.any?
+      respond_with @user, :status => :unprocessable_entity
+      return
+    end
+
+    render :json => {}, :status => 200
+  end
+
+  # user progression tracking
+  def social_promoted
+    @user = current_user
+    @user.update_progression_field(:first_social_promoted_at)
+
+    if @user.errors.any?
+      respond_with @user, :status => :unprocessable_entity
+      return
+    end
+    render :json => {}, :status => 200
+  end
+
   ###################### RECORDINGS #######################
   # def recording_index
   #   @recordings = User.recording_index(current_user, params[:id])
diff --git a/web/app/controllers/sessions_controller.rb b/web/app/controllers/sessions_controller.rb
index c516b01d3..ca75e1e0e 100644
--- a/web/app/controllers/sessions_controller.rb
+++ b/web/app/controllers/sessions_controller.rb
@@ -13,6 +13,11 @@ class SessionsController < ApplicationController
       @login_error = true
       render 'new', :layout => "landing"
     else
+
+      if jkclient_agent?
+        user.update_progression_field(:first_ran_client_at)
+      end
+
       @session_only_cookie = !jkclient_agent? && !params[:user].nil? && 0 == params[:user][:remember_me].to_i
       complete_sign_in user
     end
diff --git a/web/config/routes.rb b/web/config/routes.rb
index f25a92662..0c48b0a2e 100644
--- a/web/config/routes.rb
+++ b/web/config/routes.rb
@@ -88,6 +88,8 @@ SampleApp::Application.routes.draw do
     match '/sessions/:id/tracks/:track_id' => 'api_music_sessions#track_show', :via => :get, :as => 'api_session_track_detail'
     match '/sessions/:id/tracks/:track_id' => 'api_music_sessions#track_destroy', :via => :delete
 
+    match '/participant_histories/:id/rating' => 'api_music_sessions#participant_rating', :via => :post
+
     # genres
     match '/genres' => 'api_genres#index', :via => :get
 
@@ -174,6 +176,11 @@ SampleApp::Application.routes.draw do
     match '/users/:id/avatar' => 'api_users#delete_avatar', :via => :delete
     match '/users/:id/filepicker_policy' => 'api_users#generate_filepicker_policy', :via => :get
 
+    # user progression
+    match '/users/progression/downloaded_client' => 'api_users#downloaded_client', :via => :post
+    match '/users/progression/certified_gear' => 'api_users#qualified_gear', :via => :post
+    match '/users/progression/social_promoted' => 'api_users#social_promoted', :via => :post
+
     # user recordings
     # match '/users/:id/recordings' => 'api_users#recording_index', :via => :get
     # match '/users/:id/recordings/:recording_id' => 'api_users#recording_show', :via => :get, :as => 'api_recording_detail'
diff --git a/web/lib/music_session_manager.rb b/web/lib/music_session_manager.rb
index c6c43b014..ad6386e4f 100644
--- a/web/lib/music_session_manager.rb
+++ b/web/lib/music_session_manager.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 require 'recaptcha'
-class MusicSessionManager < BaseManager
+class
+MusicSessionManager < BaseManager
 
   include Recaptcha::Verify
   
diff --git a/web/spec/requests/music_sessions_api_spec.rb b/web/spec/requests/music_sessions_api_spec.rb
index da97d050c..32746fddf 100755
--- a/web/spec/requests/music_sessions_api_spec.rb
+++ b/web/spec/requests/music_sessions_api_spec.rb
@@ -592,6 +592,20 @@ describe "Music Session API ", :type => :api do
     music_session_perf_data.music_session_user_history.should == MusicSessionUserHistory.find_by_client_id(client.client_id)
   end
 
+  it "rating" do
+    user = FactoryGirl.create(:user)
+    client = FactoryGirl.create(:connection, :user => user)
+    music_session = FactoryGirl.create(:music_session, :creator => user, :description => "My Session")
+    msuh = FactoryGirl.create(:music_session_user_history, :music_session_id => music_session.id, :client_id => client.client_id, :user_id => user.id)
+    msuh.rating.should be_nil
+    login(user)
+    post "/api/participant_histories/#{msuh.id}/rating.json", { :rating => 0 }.to_json, "CONTENT_TYPE" => "application/json"
+    last_response.status.should == 200
+    msuh.reload
+    msuh.rating.should == 0
+
+  end
+
 end
 
 
diff --git a/web/spec/requests/user_progression_spec.rb b/web/spec/requests/user_progression_spec.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..cff28581d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/spec/requests/user_progression_spec.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,171 @@
+require 'spec_helper'
+
+# user progression is achieved by different aspects of the code working together in a cross-cutting fashion.
+# due to this, it's nice to have a single place where all the parts of user progression are tested
+# https://jamkazam.atlassian.net/wiki/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=3375145
+
+describe "User Progression", :type => :api do
+
+  include Rack::Test::Methods
+
+  subject { page }
+
+  def login(user)
+    post '/sessions', "session[email]" => user.email, "session[password]" => user.password
+    rack_mock_session.cookie_jar["remember_token"].should == user.remember_token
+  end
+
+  describe "user progression" do
+    let(:user) { FactoryGirl.create(:user) }
+    let(:defopts) { { :description => "a session", :fan_chat => true, :fan_access => true, :approval_required => false, :genres => ["classical"], :musician_access => true, :tracks => [{"instrument_id" => "electric guitar", "sound" => "mono"}], :legal_terms => true, :intellectual_property => true} }
+
+    before do
+      login(user)
+    end
+
+    it "downloaded_client" do
+      user.first_downloaded_client_at.should be_nil
+      post "/api/users/progression/downloaded_client"
+      last_response.status.should eql(200)
+      JSON.parse(last_response.body).should eql({ })
+      user.reload
+      user.first_downloaded_client_at.should_not be_nil
+    end
+
+    it "downloaded_client twice" do
+      post "/api/users/progression/downloaded_client"
+      user.reload
+      first = user.first_downloaded_client_at
+      post "/api/users/progression/downloaded_client"
+      user.reload
+      user.first_downloaded_client_at.should == first
+    end
+
+    it "qualified gear" do
+      user.first_certified_gear_at.should be_nil
+      post "/api/users/progression/certified_gear.json", { :success => true}.to_json,  "CONTENT_TYPE" => 'application/json'
+      last_response.status.should eql(200)
+      JSON.parse(last_response.body).should eql({ })
+      user.reload
+      user.first_certified_gear_at.should_not be_nil
+      user.last_failed_certified_gear_at.should be_nil
+      user.last_failed_certified_gear_reason.should be_nil
+    end
+
+    it "failed qualified gear" do
+      user.first_certified_gear_at.should be_nil
+      post "/api/users/progression/certified_gear.json", { :success => false, :reason => "latency=30"}.to_json,  "CONTENT_TYPE" => 'application/json'
+      last_response.status.should eql(200)
+      JSON.parse(last_response.body).should eql({ })
+      user.reload
+      user.first_certified_gear_at.should be_nil
+      user.last_failed_certified_gear_at.should_not be_nil
+      user.last_failed_certified_gear_reason.should == "latency=30"
+    end
+
+
+    it "social promoted" do
+      user.first_social_promoted_at.should be_nil
+      post "/api/users/progression/social_promoted"
+      last_response.status.should eql(200)
+      JSON.parse(last_response.body).should eql({ })
+      user.reload
+      user.first_social_promoted_at.should_not be_nil
+    end
+
+    it "joined any session" do
+      user.first_music_session_at.should be_nil
+      client = FactoryGirl.create(:connection, :user => user, :ip_address => "1.1.1.1", :client_id => "1.1")
+      post '/api/sessions.json', defopts.merge({:client_id => client.client_id}).to_json, "CONTENT_TYPE" => 'application/json'
+      last_response.status.should eql(201)
+      user.reload
+      user.first_music_session_at.should_not be_nil
+    end
+
+    it "ran client" do
+      user.first_ran_client_at.should be_nil
+      # change user-agent to look like the real client, and see ran_client flag set
+      post '/sessions', {"session[email]" => user.email, "session[password]" => user.password}, { "HTTP_USER_AGENT" => " JamKazam " }
+      user.reload
+      user.first_ran_client_at.should_not be_nil
+    end
+
+    it "real session" do
+      # to make a real session, we need a session at least 15 minutes long and containting 3 concurrent users
+
+      user2 = FactoryGirl.create(:user)
+      user3 = FactoryGirl.create(:user)
+
+      user.first_real_music_session_at.should be_nil
+      client = FactoryGirl.create(:connection, :user => user, :ip_address => "1.1.1.1", :client_id => "1_1")
+      client2 = FactoryGirl.create(:connection, :user => user2, :ip_address => "1.1.1.2", :client_id => "1_2")
+      client3 = FactoryGirl.create(:connection, :user => user3, :ip_address => "1.1.1.3", :client_id => "1_3")
+      post '/api/sessions.json', defopts.merge({:client_id => client.client_id}).to_json, "CONTENT_TYPE" => 'application/json'
+      last_response.status.should eql(201)
+      music_session = JSON.parse(last_response.body)
+
+      login(user2)
+      post "/api/sessions/#{music_session["id"]}/participants.json", {  :client_id => client2.client_id, :as_musician => true, :tracks => [{"instrument_id" => "bass guitar", "sound" => "mono"}]}.to_json, "CONTENT_TYPE" => 'application/json'
+      last_response.status.should eql(201)
+
+      login(user3)
+      post "/api/sessions/#{music_session["id"]}/participants.json", {  :client_id => client3.client_id, :as_musician => true, :tracks => [{"instrument_id" => "bass guitar", "sound" => "mono"}]}.to_json, "CONTENT_TYPE" => 'application/json'
+      last_response.status.should eql(201)
+
+      # instrument the created_at of the music_history field to be at the beginning of time, so that we cross the 15 minute threshold of a 'real session
+      history1 = MusicSessionUserHistory.where(:user_id => user.id, :music_session_id => music_session["id"]).first
+      history2 = MusicSessionUserHistory.where(:user_id => user2.id, :music_session_id => music_session["id"]).first
+      history3 = MusicSessionUserHistory.where(:user_id => user3.id, :music_session_id => music_session["id"]).first
+      history1.should_not be_nil
+      history2.should_not be_nil
+      history3.should_not be_nil
+      history1.created_at = Time.at(0)
+      history2.created_at = Time.at(0)
+      history3.created_at = Time.at(0)
+      history1.save
+      history2.save
+      history3.save
+
+      # now log out of the session for all 3 users
+      login(user)
+      delete "/api/participants/#{client.client_id}.json", '', "CONTENT_TYPE" => 'application/json'
+      last_response.status.should eql(204)
+      login(user2)
+      delete "/api/participants/#{client2.client_id}.json", '', "CONTENT_TYPE" => 'application/json'
+      last_response.status.should eql(204)
+      login(user3)
+      delete "/api/participants/#{client3.client_id}.json", '', "CONTENT_TYPE" => 'application/json'
+      last_response.status.should eql(204)
+
+      user.reload
+      user2.reload
+      user3.reload
+      user.first_real_music_session_at.should_not be_nil
+      user2.first_real_music_session_at.should_not be_nil
+      user3.first_real_music_session_at.should_not be_nil
+    end
+
+    it "invites user" do
+      user.first_invited_at.should be_nil
+      post '/api/invited_users.json', {:email => 'tester@jamkazam.com', :note => "please join"}.to_json, "CONTENT_TYPE" => 'application/json'
+      last_response.status.should eql(201)
+      user.reload
+      user.first_invited_at.should_not be_nil
+    end
+
+    it "good session" do
+      user = FactoryGirl.create(:user)
+      user.first_good_music_session_at.should be_nil
+
+      client = FactoryGirl.create(:connection, :user => user)
+      music_session = FactoryGirl.create(:music_session, :creator => user, :description => "My Session")
+      msuh = FactoryGirl.create(:music_session_user_history, :music_session_id => music_session.id, :client_id => client.client_id, :user_id => user.id)
+      login(user)
+      post "/api/participant_histories/#{msuh.id}/rating.json", { :rating => 0 }.to_json, "CONTENT_TYPE" => "application/json"
+
+      user.reload
+      user.first_good_music_session_at.should_not be_nil
+    end
+  end
+
+end