For me:
1. I immediately check the algorithm. Is it POS (instant turn off), or some other gobblegook? If it sounds unique, I'll give it a chance.
2. IPO or even worse:
pre-mine??
Do not pass go, do not collect 200 bits. FOAD.
3. Does it have a healthy community with a professional website, whitepaper, and non-shillbot comments?
1. Algo is important because of the network stability, however you can see pure POS coins with good network (NXT).
2. You are most likely right, but we've seen honest devs here with IPO or premine.
3. Just take a look at Garza's paycoin. That was professional, with a good community, everything was looking good at first. (BTW by using the right "callwords" everybody can build a good looking community.)
In my opinion real word business potential is an important point. E.g. a 77th weedcoin or a 34th anonymous coin is something what only moderately interesting. A professional looking new microtransaction coin is much more interesting.
