I use what reddit uses, works well

http://code.reddit.com/browser/r2/r2/lib/db/sorts.py

    s = score(ups, downs)
    order = log(max(abs(s), 1), 10)
    sign = 1 if s > 0 else -1 if s < 0 else 0
    seconds = epoch_seconds(date) - 1134028003
    return round(order + sign * seconds / 45000, 7)