HackerTube set off a dozen spin-offs mining Hacker News comments for books, papers and more. The idea dates to 2011; its flaws were spotted by 2013.
There is Section 5 that is mentioning the flaws:
- A mention isn't a recommendation.
- Counts track popularity, not quality
- They inherit HN's taste.
- Picks go stale.
- The sites don't last
- Matching misfires. Unlinked names are ambiguous.