I think your first paragraph nails it: the posts fit the guidelines and were on the whole relatively interesting and a sufficient amount of people thought so for the posts to reach the front page.
Skimming their archives, they were't posting frequently towards the back end of 2011 but if they were pushing to finish Basecamp it's understandable.
In relation to the content of the articles, I think they were more attractive to the HN community - behind the scenes look at development; interesting technical articles on development.
Skimming their archives, they were't posting frequently towards the back end of 2011 but if they were pushing to finish Basecamp it's understandable.
In relation to the content of the articles, I think they were more attractive to the HN community - behind the scenes look at development; interesting technical articles on development.