HN needs categories
for each story in the titles so we can filter out what we do/dont care about...
eg
Euclids compass [MATH]
New version of python [PYTHON]
Java is slow [JAVA]
Bitcoin will fail [BITCOIN]
Euclids compass [MATH]
New version of python [PYTHON]
Java is slow [JAVA]
Bitcoin will fail [BITCOIN]
To me, one of the great things about HN is that I get exposed to articles I wouldn't normally find. I wouldn't have learned about Dart if I only looked at articles about Rails, I wouldn't have found an article that pointed to a solution to an algorithm problem I've been struggling with, if I didn't look at [PYTHON] articles (or one article in particular).
Lots of people have been commenting regularly about the quality of HN slipping, and I don't mean to pick on you, but it starts with changing every person, just a little bit. I would have preferred you to post this as "Ask HN: Does HN needs categories", and therefore, it becomes a discussion about the merits and challenges in creating categories. You've made a blanket statement assuming something is broken and that you have the solution, but not everybody agrees that the system is broken.
You're also a new user, which is great, it's great to have new users and great to see a new user become active right away. Great to have 'beginners eyes' and get feedback on how new users feel on their first few experiences. However, it isn't great as a beginner in any field to assume you know better than those who are more familiar with the product/community/whatever.
I think if we all had a bit more humility (and that isn't just new users, but all users), HN comments (and posts sometimes) would be of greater benefit to the entire community.
Also this modification would change nothing .... everyone would still get all the feeds, only change is those who want to filter stuff out can! There is a huge volume of articles.. and I have other feeds and things to do... who are you to tell me I should NOT be able to filter things out?
My proposed change wouldnt effect you... what you are saying is effecting me.