The site guideline is "Please use the original title, unless it is misleading or linkbait." Since Gitlab retracted that part of their policy, that part of the title became misleading. That's why I edited it. As always, we're open to suggestions for a better, i.e. more accurate and neutral, title.

https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

It wasn't misleading at the time that the article was written though, or even at the time that it was submitted. This article was posted here two hours ago, and the changes on the Gitlab repository were made an hour ago.

Is it now the policy of HN to keep titles up to date as events change?

We have the full context here. I appreciate the change dang made given this post is #1 on HN and about a tool (git) we all use.

Gitlab != git

Sure. We've always tried to do that. Actually we have to, because once a title becomes inaccurate, the thread will fill up with complaints about its inaccuracy until it's corrected. It's less important for stories not on the front page.

> Since Gitlab retracted that part of their policy,

Must have missed something - what was retracted?

The context is linked in the original comment edit now: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21275311

Thank you!

In other words, you did them a favor.

HN changes (and suggests submitters edit) submission titles generally if that edit will provoke a better discussion.

Sometimes that's removing or changing clickbait phrases. Sometimes it's clarifying or sharpening focus. Sometimes it's softening, blurring, or removing provocative language. And in every case I'm aware, they've commented on having made such edits.

It's a judgement call. I've edited numerous of my own submissions, often for length, occasionally in mind of discussion. I've emailed the mods, usually for clickbait (in the original) titles. Sometimes my edits are accepted, sometimes not.

But what's been done here isn't an exceptional practice. And given the already politicised nature of the topic at hand, for HN, I fully stand by dang's edit in this case.

(Would have commented earlier if I'd had a decent keyboard available.)

My job is to do HN a favor, such as by making sure the site guidelines apply.

We edit titles to make them less favorable to companies too. The principle is to make titles more accurate and neutral. If you know of one where we did the opposite, I'd like to see the example.

Moderation rules invariably involve interpretation. That doesn't make them arbitrary.

From where I'm sitting you do an unbelievably fantastic job dang and apply rules evenhandedly. Thank you.

I agree. There were times in the past where I thought dang was favoring YC companies (it's worth mentioning GitLab is a YC company), but in retrospect I think I was seeing it because I wanted to see it.

HN continues to surprise me as the best moderated community of substantial size anywhere on the internet, and this thread exemplifies why.

Thank you dang for making HN what it is today. I know I appreciate it, and I bet 99% of everybody else here does as well.

Dang would just delete this submission if he actually felt that way.