Er, don't kill the blog. First you should make sure you're using mt 2.661, which slows the flood of comment spam.

Then you should install mt-blacklist ( http://www.jayallen.org/projects/mt-blacklist/ ) which will eliminate most comment spam. It's real easy.

Then you should be patient -- movable type 3.0 is about to come out (info: http://movabletype.org/ ), and it includes comment registration that should elminate ALL comment spam.

hey, that blacklist thing is GREAT, let me know if you need help installing it :)

Nah, don't end the blog.

yer trippin'...don't quit the journal, unless you start up on LJ....then i'm ok with it :P

Don't quit the blog, we'll miss you! Plus, you don't want to let those devil's spawn spammers win, do you?

*hugs*

Here's another plug for using MT Blacklist! It works, and it's really easy to install!

I paid MT to do the initial install after spending too much time messing with it trying to get it to work. I'm not sure how comfortable I am upgrading or installing much else.

If an upgrade is MUCH easier than an install, I can give it a look.

But you might want to look into getting the new MT software installed on a new hosting plan. Clearly I don't have the resources to act as a responsible host.

yeah, we're on MT Version 2.51

Don't quit the blog! I'm sure there are ways around it, but I'm scared because it's been two days since your last entry. The same two days I spent in the airports of NC and SC and VA and DC because of one freaking thunderstorm trying to get home (?)to NJ . . . where probably 99% of spam originates cuz this state just sucks big time. How sick is that. I live in NJ and can't wait to come home to read blogs from people who live elsewhere?

I feel your pain, Jim. I get them, too, now, and I'm using 2.661. I just keep zapping them as they come, banning their IPs, and closing the entries on which they posted the comments.

I think I'm going to try that blacklist thing.

I am right there with you. Unfortunately, I get spam mail, and a *lot* of virus ladden-email, from my business. I'm advertised all over creation, which is good for business, bad for my inbox. Ugh. There's almost nothing I can do about it except filters and let Norton catch the viruses, and I get upwards of 50 a day just in those most days.

What I hate are the assholes who try to advertise on my comments to up their rankings..bastards. I delete them right away, of course; but, what a pain.

Those motherfuckers hit my site all last night and this morning too. I was pissed off, I had a friend install mtblacklist and haven't had one since.

DIE SPAMMING ASSHOLES. DIE.

You might want to take a look at Typepad. Being a Six Apart venture, your movabletype migration would go smoothly and your current/future headaches will go away. They should be able to redirect your domain as well.

Lemme know if you want some help.

While I'm the last person who can offer useful advice on the subject, I certainly hope you find a way around it. Otherwise I'll have to find another avenue to distract myself. And it's all about me! :)

Obviously there's plenty of people around who can give you a hand with beating the comment spammers with a stick but if you need one more, I'm happy to help :)

Don't let them beat you, you're better than that.

Wish my blog was cool enough to get penis adverts. Ah well....

I seriously hope you are considering the suggestions you got to remedy the SPAM... I love to hear all about your adventures, and your SPAM & Bush induced rantings sometimes double me over with laughter. Come here and let me rub that beautiful melon of yours... If it comes to choosing between reading your blog or being able to comment, 86 the comments for sure. I sometimes wonder if you might be reading my mind, but your thoughts are usually more organized than my own.

Blacklist is really easy to set up, even I managed it. The instructions are really clear. But like any virus software, you have to update it every so often to keep it fresh. It also slows down your rebuild time. At least I think it does. My server is powered by gerbils running on treadwheels, and held together by bailing wire, used chewing gum, and faith.

How is Ortega? I've never done it on a bike. Cop infested?

MTBlacklist is killer. Spam comes in, but it doesn't come out. I checked my activity log a few days ago after not having had any spam for at least four days, and I found that there had been over 100 attempts to spam my blog -- MTBlacklist stopped it all. Of course, I do have to manually put in the one or two sites that occasionally get through, but it's worth it.

Don't end the blog, Jimbo. Who else can I live vicariously through?

you people all rule. seriously. if anyone has time and the skills, i'll give you root access to my MT. just email me for details. i would totally offer naked tassy pictures as payment, but we have to keep that just between us. i still want to get them too.

Eee gaads....what would I do at work every day?? Don't go, don't go!!!
Death to spammers.