Before reading if I've already read the article, if it's from a trusted source, if it's a start-up asking for feedback, if it's news that might lead to an interesting discussion or if it's a AskYC discussion that interests me.
I've been wondering, since lately, I see about half of the articles on the front page I don't read or if I read, didn't upvote--which leads to me wondering how it made it on the front page. I wondered if it was a difference in taste, or people just upvote based on title.
It seems like people are judicious with their votes.
I upvote (and post) items I think are worthy of the attention of the "Hacker News" users. If something has already made it to the front page then it does no need an upvote (even if it was posted by Joel Spolsky ;)
14 comments
[ 3.9 ms ] story [ 38.7 ms ] threadI think it lacks an option, sometimes I upvote a submission not by the article but for the discussion evolved from it.
I'm a bit more generous with upvoting comments, but I leave determining the front page to others.
It seems like people are judicious with their votes.