Here are some of the high-level things you should know:

• If you post from palnet.io, the palnet tag is added automatically. You can post from Steemit.coma and add the palnet tag to be eligible for payouts.
• Palnet.io is a condenser (basically a new frontend) built on the Steem blockchain.
• If you use the palnet tag, you can earn PAL, SBD and SP.
• Rewards are split 50/50.
• I would highly recommend that you log into steem-engine.com to see if you were eligible to receive there claim drop. Since you said you had been away for a while, then you might not be eligible, since recent activity was a requirement.

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