Sort of. Eternal September phenomenom was a regualar September cadence. Then AOL came.

There was no warning / taster of this. AI just dialed up to 11 real quick.

I personally find it very strange that you cannot downvote until 30+ userpoints, but that you CAN immediately post a new HN discussion.

Seems like there should be a restriction on greenies (from posting) until they've lurked more, here.

It does makes sense in terms of resulting damage. Make a bot that will post new discussion, it will instantly get flagged to oblivion. Make 10 bots that downvote something - it will take quite some time for the mods to find them.

It just seems to me that you ought'a be able to downvote before making posts (and also flagging). Perhaps good upvoted comment boughts ought be able to make submissions (eventually), too..?

Downvoting needs much more than that actually (is it 500+ these days?) Maybe you mean flagging? Which is similar enough to still make your argument work, but just saying.

Yes, you are correct. I also feel you should be able to downvote before flagging (since flagging is effective just a mega downvote).