[larrys]

"Self-links are OK only if they are really good. If someone sits around posting every post on their blog to HN (or having their buddy do it) "

Along those lines I'm wondering why a few words by the OP on this subject simply asking a question and offering nothing more deserves to be on the front page.

The OP is Josh Miller (by handle) who works at branch.com where the simplistic post appears.

This essentially appears to be publicity for branch.com.

[bpatrianakos]

I think you're right about the publicity thing and I'm torn as to whether it's okay or not. On the one hand we're all here to support each other in building things and all that plus this really was a good way to show the HN crowd how Branch is used/useful which I know would appeal to a lot of us. There's no doubt having a guy from Branch post a Branch here is a great way to get people using it and talking about it. But then again it also feels a bit sneaky and just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. If we give him the benefit of the doubt we can assume that because he's involved with Branch he uses it and also wanted to pose a question to HN so in the end his use of Branch would seem just this side of innocent. If we don't give him the benefit of the doubt then I'm not sure it was right. I do give the benefit of the doubt though, personally.

As to whether it belongs on the front page... Well technically the front page is a reflection of this community. If its on the front page then it belongs there because it was voted onto it. You don't have to look any further than the front page to tell how HN is changing for better or worse. But I do know what you mean when you say "deserves" and yeah, I'm right there with you.