This kind of “Gmail Beta” thingy that makes the service a premium and doesn’t allow people to join in good faith is why I didn’t join said site. I once waited there for an invite on chat, was polite and everything, but didn’t get invited. I also didn’t see many comments on most posts there. So the exclusivity, as I saw it then, was a drawback to the quantity and quality of the site and discussions. I’m no longer interested in begging around for something that wouldn’t be as valuable as HN.