"The browser must not proxy or alter the network communication. Your browser must not do any of the following:

     * Rewrite HTTP headers

The browser must have a reasonably complete implementation of web standards and browser features. You must confirm that your browser does not contain any of the following:

     * Headless browsers

     * Text-based browsers"

Sure, I see the "increased security" goal of protecting HTTP headers and allowing images and Javascript in the context of the "sign in" process that Google has implemented. However I also see the goal of not impeding Google's online ad services business which, at least in part, relies on images, Javascript and blocking automation after the user signs in. I fail to see the benefits of these requirements outside of Google's sign-in process.

HN does not impose such restrictions. It is no less useful than Google, IMO. Imagine if HN required "a reasonably complete implementation of web standards and browser features" just to sign in.

I once read that Marissa Mayer, former Google VP, still uses Pine.

Bias disclosure: I am a text-only browser user; I prefer text-only software.