TOO MUCH SPAM AND OTHER BLOG NEWS
In the past few days, my blogs (this one and our campsite reviews) have been plagued with spam comments from “anonymous”. Spam has never been a significant problem in the past – just a single spam message every 3 months or so – but it suddenly has become so bad that I need to do something about it: either ban anonymous comments or add “word verification”. Since several legitimate commenters post as “anonymous”, I decided to require word verification. Sorry about that, I know it is a pain, but I don’t have (read: “want to take”) the time to review and delete all the spam comments that are clogging my inbox.
I’ve received a few emails recently from blog readers asking for my thoughts on their blog or on apps they are developing. I don’t mind receiving the emails – maybe it is even a bit flattering to know that anyone would solicit my opinion - but I won’t be responding. Nothing personal!
For me, summer is not a time to be hunched over the computer any more than is required to maintain my own blogs, correspond with friends and family via email, research upcoming travels, and handle other required computer tasks (banking). Spending these lovely days indoors looking at the computer screen is not part of my agenda – too much real life to be lived! Catch me in winter when the days are short, cold, windy and rainy…
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Agree 100%. And most of us know that word verification is a necessary evil.
ReplyDeletetotally understandable, and it actually does your reader's a service too -- I've run into several blogs where the comments section is just full of spam and it really detracts from the blog.
ReplyDeleteexcellent pictures!
Sorry to hear about all of your spam comments. I get a lot of spam as well but 99.9% of the comments are caught by Blogger's spam filter. Every week or so, I just go to the Dashboard > Comments and delete all the spam completely. I get emails of all comments automatically, but that never includes any spam.
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with word verification either!
First of all, it's your piece of work (the blog) and you can set it up any way you want. I don't happen to have the word verification, but so far haven't needed it. I did punt off a couple "followers" that had no business hanging around.
ReplyDeletePlus, I don't think the word verification is that much of a nuisance anyway. It's unfortunate that there even is such a thing as "spam". It's enough to make a person want to spit. Honestly.
Have fun out there.
Bob.
AMEN!!!
ReplyDeleteif you don't want to do word verification, you can always use http://akismet.com/ - it works well for us...maybe something to look at in the winter. :) Personally I don't think the word verification is too bad on blogger. Most people who want to legitimately comment shouldn't have a problem!
ReplyDeleteI have had word verification on my Blog from the start. It is my Shoutbox that gets hit by spam to the point I have considered closing it. Like you, I have better things to do!
ReplyDeletenothing wrong with word verification!..glad you are out living your life!..the photo at the bottom of the post is beautiful!!!..enjoy the rest of the weekend!!
ReplyDeleteInteresting regarding the spam. Like Rick, I get lots of spam but hardly ever see them since the blogger spam filter catches almost all of them. I still don't have word verification, but may have to succumb if things get worse. Wondering if you have the blogger spam blocker functioning. Ok. no more emails in batches, Laurie. LOLOL
ReplyDeleteRick and Sue: Blogger catches spam in my "spam" box every so often, but beginning a week or so ago, I got 10 spams in my inbox (I "moderate" comments to keep spam out, plus I find it handy to have them delivered to my inbox)for every spam caught by blogger! All came from anonymous. Wierd.
ReplyDeleteI always sign my posts even though I appear as "anonymous" in my comments. I certainly hope no one looks at ME as one of those rank, immature anonymous's.
ReplyDeleteEmjay
Something changed recently for me with blogger. Now if your comment box is at the bottom of your blog I have to become anonymous because blogger won't recognize me under my id and won't let me post. If I do have to become anoaymous I alway sign my name at the end of the post so one knows who the post is from.
ReplyDeleteI sure don't blame you for being tired of the spammers. I always wonder what do they get out of it and what kind of a sad life must they have if this is what they are doing with it.
ReplyDeleteBut I am in awe of how you can do so much AND do two blogs. I can hardly do one a day without it taking over my life.
I clearly need to take a course from you. Love your blog.