Thing is the community here IMO relies very little on the software - partly I think that is why it's the way it is, to keep out of the way.
HN is the interface to the community, it is not the community.
I have "paid" by being a part of the community and trying to add value to it as have most people here. Maybe I've often failed at that.
Digg I think were the last major website I used that considered it "their website" and failed to understand the ownership of the community and the vesting of value within the community that had built up around their site.
Your response along with that of the sibling I suspect doesn't represent how PG would have responded - but those responses rather remind me of those who bring a ball to a game of football. The ball is not the game, it is an essential part of it, it's presence at the right time is important but each player brings something to the game; the ball can readily be replaced. If all you have is the ball then you don't have a game of football. If the ball is absent then you can't easily play football but nonetheless a good game can still be made until a ball is located.
Thing is the community here IMO relies very little on the software - partly I think that is why it's the way it is, to keep out of the way.
HN is the interface to the community, it is not the community.
I have "paid" by being a part of the community and trying to add value to it as have most people here. Maybe I've often failed at that.
Digg I think were the last major website I used that considered it "their website" and failed to understand the ownership of the community and the vesting of value within the community that had built up around their site.
Your response along with that of the sibling I suspect doesn't represent how PG would have responded - but those responses rather remind me of those who bring a ball to a game of football. The ball is not the game, it is an essential part of it, it's presence at the right time is important but each player brings something to the game; the ball can readily be replaced. If all you have is the ball then you don't have a game of football. If the ball is absent then you can't easily play football but nonetheless a good game can still be made until a ball is located.