Apr 18 2008
let’s call this a beta test
Hi. Here’s the deal. I’ve been getting a lot of comment spam sneaking through my spam filter. I applaud my spam filter, which as of right now has about 3,000 spam comments in the queue, because I’m glad I don’t have to catch and delete them all, yet the ones that have been sneaking through are still enough to be irritating as all hell. So I’ve been thinking about what I can do about this most grievous problem. Because obviously, I cannot deal with having to delete irritating spam. I get enough of that in my jamelah.net e-mail account. And recently it’s all been about buying fake Rolexes. Is there a big market for that?
Anyway, I figured I had two options in this spam problem:
1. I could implement some sort of captcha plugin. But since I hate captcha, I decided against it.
2. I could moderate comments. I don’t really care for moderating comments, because I figure that as long as you’re not a comment spammer and/or totally sick and wrong, then you are mature enough to handle writing blog comments without needing my approval. I ain’t your mama, after all.
So, considering that neither of my options were very attractive, I thought really hard (and reviewed what options WordPress offered without having to scroll through one of the plugins directories) and found that I can have comments appear, as long as the commenter has a previously-approved comment. So I was all over that check box! For reals, yo.
Anyway, I haven’t tested it out, and this is where you come in. Potentially. Or not. Probably not, since I think maybe five people still read here, but if you have a moment and would also maybe like to comment on my blog at some point in your life, this is what you can do:
1. Actually click through from the feed reader of your choice.
2. Post a comment as you normally would. Don’t link to porn or try to sell me a Rolex.
3. Wait and wait and wait for me to approve your comment. I’m going to be away from my desk quite a bit today so I can’t guarantee expediency, which means I don’t really think it would be a good idea for you to wait, but maybe check back later when you have a second or think of it or something.
4. When you notice that your comment has appeared, try posting another comment and see if it appears on the page all automatic-like right after you click that shiny “Submit Comment” button, or if it tells you that your comment has gone into moderation.
I think that’s it. I’m not going to try to give you a topic, because I don’t have any good discussion ideas. Hell, you can just post “test” a couple of times if you want to. Thanks in advance.
The Rolex people are after me, too. It’s a little unsettling.
This is a test of the new spam filtering measures.
And now, to quote some random lyrics that popped into my head:
“Carry on, my wayward sons, there’ll be peace when you are done.”
(it seemed rather appropriate once I thought of spammers as the wayward sons)
I hate comment spammers. Just once in my life and like to meet one and beat him/her up.
Interesting. It is not catching any of these for moderation.
Moderate this.
Bye bye mrs. chairmodel lady
I am so awesome.
Is it 5 o’clock yet? How about now? NOW?
*waves*
That’s what I do on my blog, and it mostly works. I say mostly because
a) Sometimes I lose real comments from new readers, ’cause that happens so rarely and I don’t notice them in the throng of hundreds of spam comments. And then they probably think I hate them.
b) Sometimes I lose real comments from old readers, ’cause they mistype their name or email address or use a funny moniker for fun. And then again with the not noticing and the thinking I hate.
But! It is the best solution I’ve found so far. Good luck.
I could but I won’t.
I should but I shorn’t.
What part of shorn’t don’t you understand?
I don’t get that much spam anymore. I don’t know why that is. Are you using Akismet? Maybe that’s built into Wordpress, I dunno.
The exciting conclusion of this exciting comment… coming soon to this page, after some exciting moderation on Jamelah’s part!
I can see my comment right away. Is that because I’ve commented here before? I don’t understand.
Okay, I seem to have gotten it sorted. If your comments have appeared on the site before, it recognizes you by your email address. But if you haven’t commented before or if you change email addresses or something, it’s straight to the moderation queue with you!
Thank you for participating in my beta test.
(Oh and yes, I have an Akismet plugin for Wordpress. Also, let’s go find some comment spammers and punch them.)
so, this should be right there in moderation limbo. right?
yay! my last comment went off to be moderated.
oh, the wonders of spam filter
Fake rolexes? How can I get in on this action?
Can you hear me now?
Now?
Judih (& not) — Hurrah for technology.
Andy — If you want to get in on the fake Rolex market, I have a lot (A LOT) of email I can send your way.
Sir — What’s that? Can you say that a little louder?
testing, testing, one two three
I feel so approved-of now.
In addition to akismet, try adding bad behaviour. It’s supposed to stop spambots and such even accessing the site. I have no idea whether it actually works, but chances are it does, as I get no spam nowadays compared to what I did before I installed it…