How to get “Publish to frontpage” to work

The default front page (set in administer/site information) is “node”. When the check box “Publish to front page” is set on any content, it is published to “node”.  If the front page is set to another content page, than “node” this option will not work.  If this is left as the front page, then you can create “virtual” content for the front page by setting “Publish to front page” on any content you want to appear on the site home page.