I like the overall redesign you've done. Everything is easier on the eyes and easy to read. I do have one issue with it though. You've removed the home and profile buttons. As a user I think those pages are pretty important and should be easy to reach. Reaching them should not require drop-downs or shortcuts. How did you intend the user to reach those pages in your design?

Can posts on HN be deleted by admins? 'cause this needs deleting.

A great read. I am curious about your double-wide insertion sort algorithm.

Thanks. I haven't seen it anywhere else, but can't really be sure I came up with it. Just seemed like a good optimization.