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That comparison is just badly chosen and unnecessary [0]. He argues that some aspects of iOS are a little bit like aspects of IE6, not that the “iPad is the new IE6”. Writing that as the headline is just asking for trouble and will only lead to people not discussing the substance of your article but screaming at each other.

I’m all for just ignoring that comparison and focusing on the substance of the article. Please. (Because the substance, unlike the comparison, is actually interesting.)

[0] Some would call it “linkbait”. And yes, this was a very lame attempt of trying to get away with using a word I usually hold in contempt. Shame on me.




  > this was a very lame attempt of trying to get away with
  > using a word I usually hold in contempt
Why not use a more general term then? Surely this practice pre-dates the internet (and therefore also the term 'linkbait').


Sensationalism and hyperbole are probably the right words.


The headline is the substance of the article, like it or not. I mean, do you blame people for arguing that the iPad isn't the new IE 6 when the title of the article is "iPad is the new IE 6"?


I can’t really blame them, no, but HN has a penchant for turning hyperbole and sensationalism into good discussions. From time to time.




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