In xbox live, what are microsoft points and how do you get them? and what are gamerscores used for?

Question

In xbox live, what are microsoft points and how do you get them? and what are gamerscores used for?

Answer 1

Microsoft points are the currency used on Xbox Live to purchase content like movies. You can either buy a card in a store or use your credit card on Live or xbox.com to add more points. A gamerscore is a tally of your achievements. Achievements are gained by accomplishing specific tasks in a game (IE: killing 1000 people) and game developers determine how much each achievement is worth. The result is a Gamerscore. Each game has 1000 possible achievement points with some adding more through extra content you download.  

Answer 2

Microsoft points are the currency to buy Marketplace content.

These points are worth real money and you need to buy points on-line with a credit card or get a prepaid points card in a shop that sells Xbox accessories.

Gamerscore points are points that have no monetary value. These points are just for bragging rights.

For certain special maneuvers in a game that require more skill than normally, you will get Gamerscore points.

For example, if you finish a race in Need For Speed Carbon, and before you cross the finish line you do a 180° turn, so you drive across the finish line backwards, you get Gamerscore points.

These points have nothing to do with the score in-game and you can't buy stuff with them.

It's just so you can show your friends what you achieved in a game. Instead of just bragging about your skills, you now have the proof to show you are really a great gamer.