8 ms·

I have articles in a couple issues, so I got these free, then a year free and then I subscribed once my free year finished. Probably been a subscriber (free or

I have articles in a couple issues, so I got these free, then a year free and then I subscribed once my free year finished. Probably been a subscriber (free or otherwise) for 3 or 4 years, not sure by now. I have the deep feeling that the quality of the content shared here on HackerNews has dwindled (may also be that it has drowned by the increase in traffic, though), and this may have (negatively) impacted HM readership. As a sample point, I was pretty close to cancelling my subscription, since during the past 12-13 issues didn't have that interesting content, compared to the previous ~24-30. Of course, totally subjective, but a year and a half ago I was happy to see the "HM issue available for download email," and now it was more of a "meh." The quality of the magazine was always superb, though: perfectly crafted with aesthetically pleasant articles and layout. So, not to blame the team there. I hope you luck in your next venture!

bearwithclaws 12y ago
Hey Ruben! How are you? :) Well, HM readership has been increasing from month to month in the past few years. But I agree with you on the content shared on HackerNews. There are still a lot of top notch articles shared here, but the focus (votes by the community, in general) seemed to shift news-centric article, from more educational articles, which is the bread and butter of HM.
- RBerenguel 12y ago
  Hi there, doing fine :) It's exactly what I felt had changed, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one (and you have definite hands-on experience with HM!) I hope your next business also thrives (it's not like HM was a bad thing I guess, and it was definitely top-notch quality.)
WA 12y ago
This discussion about HN link quality is old and comes up frequently. I'm mostly a lurker. Thing is, I haven't read a complaint about the "low quality on HN" in quite a while. About a year ago or two, these objections would be posted multiple times every day. Maybe HN declined from 5 years ago, but I think it improved over the last year or so, because a lot of marketing BS isn't here anymore.
- DanBC 12y ago
  There is a lot more aggression in the comments. People are reluctant to flag or downvote posts that clearly violate the guidelines.
  - gibsonje 12y ago
    Long time reader, recently created an account... I don't see downvote or "flag" buttons. The only button available to me is a "^", which I assume is upvote, but without a downvote or flag button it's very out of context... (edit: Yeah, the on-hover is 'upvote' but there's no downvote or flag).
    - arnaudlaudwein 12y ago
      Yes, you only get these options after reaching a certain karma threshold (see https://news.ycombinator.com/newsfaq.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsfaq.html and https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html)
    - deleted 12y ago
      [deleted]
    - DanBC 12y ago
      Click the timestamp on a post. Do you see a flag option now? Downvoting is available at a karma threshold. I think flags for comments and submissions are always available?
      - dang 12y ago
        Not always, or people would create accounts just to do it. The flag threshold is low, though (30).
        Forbo 12y ago
        I believe the threshold is higher than that, as I am currently situated at 45 and do not have the option.
hendzen 12y ago
The best discussion and articles have shifted to lobste.rs which is wisely invite only. I think it's better to have a discussion site owned by the community as opposed to a VC firm/incubator that has funded many of our employers. Also lobste.rs has tags, and a much more mobile friendly layout. It gets less chatter/upvotes but the submissions and comments are much higher quality. Not to mention that the comments are not dominated by a few voices that use the site to self promote...
- DanBC 12y ago
  Are there any articles on lobste.rs that are not also on HN? Could you point to a conversation that's on lobste.rs that's better than HN? I visit once a week or so, but it always seems close to dead. I understand they're going for quality over quantity, but still.

bearwithclaws 12y ago

Hey Ruben! How are you? :) Well, HM readership has been increasing from month to month in the past few years. But I agree with you on the content shared on HackerNews. There are still a lot of top notch articles shared here, but the focus (votes by the community, in general) seemed to shift news-centric article, from more educational articles, which is the bread and butter of HM.

RBerenguel 12y ago
Hi there, doing fine :) It's exactly what I felt had changed, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one (and you have definite hands-on experience with HM!) I hope your next business also thrives (it's not like HM was a bad thing I guess, and it was definitely top-notch quality.)

WA 12y ago

This discussion about HN link quality is old and comes up frequently. I'm mostly a lurker. Thing is, I haven't read a complaint about the "low quality on HN" in quite a while. About a year ago or two, these objections would be posted multiple times every day. Maybe HN declined from 5 years ago, but I think it improved over the last year or so, because a lot of marketing BS isn't here anymore.

DanBC 12y ago
There is a lot more aggression in the comments. People are reluctant to flag or downvote posts that clearly violate the guidelines.
- gibsonje 12y ago
  Long time reader, recently created an account... I don't see downvote or "flag" buttons. The only button available to me is a "^", which I assume is upvote, but without a downvote or flag button it's very out of context... (edit: Yeah, the on-hover is 'upvote' but there's no downvote or flag).
  - arnaudlaudwein 12y ago
    Yes, you only get these options after reaching a certain karma threshold (see https://news.ycombinator.com/newsfaq.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsfaq.html and https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html)
  - deleted 12y ago
    [deleted]
  - DanBC 12y ago
    Click the timestamp on a post. Do you see a flag option now? Downvoting is available at a karma threshold. I think flags for comments and submissions are always available?
    - dang 12y ago
      Not always, or people would create accounts just to do it. The flag threshold is low, though (30).
      - Forbo 12y ago
        I believe the threshold is higher than that, as I am currently situated at 45 and do not have the option.

hendzen 12y ago

The best discussion and articles have shifted to lobste.rs which is wisely invite only. I think it's better to have a discussion site owned by the community as opposed to a VC firm/incubator that has funded many of our employers. Also lobste.rs has tags, and a much more mobile friendly layout. It gets less chatter/upvotes but the submissions and comments are much higher quality. Not to mention that the comments are not dominated by a few voices that use the site to self promote...

DanBC 12y ago
Are there any articles on lobste.rs that are not also on HN? Could you point to a conversation that's on lobste.rs that's better than HN? I visit once a week or so, but it always seems close to dead. I understand they're going for quality over quantity, but still.