SPAMmers really perplex me.  They do.  The only way they can get SPAM comments into my blog that mean anything (meaning, that have a link) is to put that link in the personal link section of the comments.  Links don’t work in the body of the comment.

And yet, despite that they only get one link they could post, they go to the trouble to put it there.  And I go in and clean it up, and nobody will ever see it.

So, why do they go to the trouble?  They can’t have automatic scripts, because of Captcha.  So they personally visit my blog and leave comment SPAM, by hand.

I’m not seeing the payoff.  And whenever I’m trying to figure out if someone’s actions are crazy or not, I always look for the payoff.  Theft?  You can gain the stuff you steal, if you don’t get caught.  Murder?  You get rid of somebody you wanted rid of, or got paid to do it for someone else.  But SPAMming, when there’s zero chance you’ll get any click-thrus on it?  I just can’t see the benefit, which makes me think, yes, the SPAMmers are indeed crazy.

Incidentally, would moving the comments to be Members-Only be acceptable?  We’re not talking a lot of SPAM here, but it is quite annoying.

...but Spam is soooo tasty.

I know, KC.  And hey, a new face!  Welcome!

Consider: if you had “member-only” the comments, KC would likely have passed by without commenting.  Tough to broaden your circles and encourage participation with closed doors, bud.

Spam seems to be a abhorred annoyance for you at best.  Surely you can endure it for the KC’s of the web.

But, since I’M the only one that matters ... and since *I* don’t mind moving to members only comments. I say “do it”.

Awww...look at all the love.  It’s true, though...I would not have professed my love for Spam all “up in your comments” if I had to register.

I would still read, but where would you be without my infinite wisdom?

Exactly, KC.  I responded to cornfed by email, but I should put it here: he made an excellent point, and the only one that makes sense.  I don’t get enough SPAM to override my desire to hear the genuine opinions of new people.