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I'm glad someone mentioned this. MeFi has done really well and certainly hasn't lost steam since requiring a paid account. If HN were to go in a paid direction I think the posts and comments should be available to anyone (a la MeFi).

MeFi is actually $5 for life and it's worked pretty well.

IIRC MeFi is a one-time fee. I was there before the fee, so I don't know for sure.