What does pre-searing & post-searing mean?

I see this being said alot and have idea what it means.

I have a question for you.

How far have you gotten in the game?

There are two main phases in the game; at some point early in the game (though many don't realise that the early game is only a part of the game) a very large change occurs to the world in which we play. The event is called the searing, and thus pre and post refer to being before and after that event.

I don't think that was too spoilerific...

If you wish a fuller explanation, with spoilers, see

http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Searing
http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Pre-Searing
http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Post-Searing

Oh I see, it's a story line event. I was thinking it was some sort of patch or expansion pack that I didn't have. I have just installed this game a few days ago and am enjoying it a bunch. I will be posting questions I am sure by the handful but that was on plexing question I needed to have answered.

Thanks.