I go by popularity. I find that's the best way. (Even if the module came out a month ago, if it is very popular, it cannot be too bad).

Don't go judging something by popularity, or you'll end up preferring PHP over Perl ;-)

I prefer one well informed and well phrased opinion any time over ten people who just tell me "it's great".

I use Linux, although Windows is more popular. I use fvwm2 as my window manager, although others are far more popular. I'm helping the Perl 6 developers, although Python 3000 (or whatever its name is) gets much more positive press. I prefer pen & paper RPGs over MMORPG, although the latter are more popular.

I don't care if something is important unless I know why it's popular, and know that the same reasons might appeal to me.