I'm a new user to this website, but I've notice the level of integrity and consistency on the comments. It's actually the reason that made me select this "community" and not others like Digg/Slashdot/whatever.
The users are the strong point of HN, and losing that would not be good at all.
I say +1 for invitation based system. Also, users could have a more active role on moderation. Just not sure how, exactly.
On invitations, who would have invited me to read and participate? I live and work overseas and don't know anyone else that uses HN. I would feel too intimidated, and as though I were begging, to approach an existing user to ask for some sort of endorsement or invitation.
How might it work?
I think HN could do worse than add an intro guide for newcomers that carefully explains the difference between this and other sites the newcomer may have experienced before. e.g., a big difference IMO is the lack of playing for +1 Funny as is done on Slashdot. "Like Slashdot, but with just Insightful and Interesting." ;)
An invitation based system could work, but there would have to be some kind of 'fast track', some people are only here because their stuff was once discussed on HN and then signed up to be able to provide a different point of view.
If they would have to wait for an invite that would take some really good stuff out of the mix.
You aren't kidding about new user, only ten days old. I guess now that you are on board you don't care if we switched to an invitation based system, but what about all the others out there who might, like you, crave the "integrity and consistency" of HN?
The users are the strong point of HN, and losing that would not be good at all.
I say +1 for invitation based system. Also, users could have a more active role on moderation. Just not sure how, exactly.