I dunno, I find it to be alright. No need to expose everything to a beginning user of HN all at once. I liken it to a game mechanic that you slowly get more items and powers as you work your way through the game. That way, they learn the interface as they go.

It's kinda part of the fun, and if you stick around long enough, you 'discover' (aka level up) little things about HN that increases your skill level at using HN.