I would say absolutely not. Submissions should be voted up based on their own merits, not on how many friends you happen to have on HN to help you. This, as fa

I would say absolutely not. Submissions should be voted up based on their own merits, not on how many friends you happen to have on HN to help you. This, as far as I know, is an ongoing problem at sites like Digg where it is reportedly almost impossible to get on the frontpage without being a member of some kind of voting ring, or having the right connections. I hope we're above that.