[wodenokoto]

I know HN likes to berate on SO as if it’s some has-been that nobody uses anymore.

Just the other day I asked a fairly specific question, putting in some effort of writing code examples and add links to relevant documentation and within a day I had a four paragraph, in-depth answer.

No, I did not get any upvotes or smiley-stickers, but I got for free what I wouldn’t even know how to buy.

Moreover, I end up on SO daily when programming.

The utility of SO is second to none and it has been that way for over a decade.

That is pretty amazing in my book.

[throwaway4585]

SO is still good, what they mean is that it has peaked or in the process of peaking. Just like previously-cool bars or festivals are still good but just 'not the same' and on the verge of becoming bad. It's a very specific mindset where you must be growing (not just growing, the growth rate must also be growing) and avant-garde all the time, and it's not really surprising to see it on a forum about startups.

I'll also add that although SO was of course invaluable to me as a reader, the few times I've had to actually ask questions because I couldn't find what I needed, other users were stumped as well. Just adding my little anecdote to yours