I just deleted about 35 spam comments that were posted to the blog last night, so I'm considering requiring TypeKey comment authentication. Any thoughts? I hate to impede the free flow of feedback, but I don't want to spend my time policing the spammers either.
Update 9/11: The spam comments keep coming, so I've turned on comment approval, which means that your comments won't appear immediately on the site. It's still better than having every thread corrupted by spam, though. If this is too much of a pain, I may go to TypeKey, but hopefully it'll stem the tide. Note: If you submit a comment and it doesn't get approved within a couple of days, it may have gotten lost in the waves of spam -- just email me and I'll make sure to approve it.
I think that you deleted some straightforward, non spam comments as well btw.
Posted by: Chris | September 10, 2005 at 11:56 AM
If so, I apologize. That's part of the problem with the spam comments - when I'm mass-deleting them, some real ones may get accidentally thrown out too.
Posted by: Brendan Nyhan | September 10, 2005 at 12:05 PM
The problem with registration is that it often makes it harder to comment on the spur of the moment, and a lot of people (ahem) don't want to remember another password.
That said, if deleting spam is becoming a problem for you, you'll have to balance the costs and benefits.
Posted by: Jon Henke | September 10, 2005 at 12:44 PM
word verification would be better, if you can get it, but i'd sign in to comment on your blog. on the bright side, i think getting comment spam means you've "arrived." i still don't get any. boohoo.
Posted by: jami | September 11, 2005 at 01:14 PM
I read Alterman every day. I like him. I've never heard of you until today.
You're clearly right on this one. Hang in there.
Posted by: browster | September 12, 2005 at 09:45 PM