I'm really bad at explaining this type of thing, because it was sort of a miracle that it worked, but here's what I did:

On the comments page and the entries comments pop-up command on your individual/monthly/whatever archives pages (as well as your index), re-route your comments. For example, right now your comments pop-up page ends with mt-comments.cgi and then a bunch of entry information (hold your mouse over the "comments" link under this entry to see what I mean).

I changed what was before the .cgi to, we'll say, makeyourfriggincomment.cgi. Then, changed the name of the mt-comments.cgi file on my server (probably under /cgi-bin/mt/) to makeyourfriggincomment.cgi as well, and presto! No more spam. I don't have blacklist anymore and I haven't had any spam since I did all this changing around (about four months ago). So... there you go. I realize this might make no sense, so email me or something. Or maybe somebody with more technical know-how could elaborate.

Hi. Um, not-really-longtime reader, first time commenter, but I can help on this. Here goes.

There is a script that can close comments on anything older than (you name it) days. There are two, actually, one for the MySQL database, and one for non-MySQL (Berkeley). I don't know if you can automate it.

The MySQL script is mt-close.cgi
The Berkeley script is mt-close2.cgi

Really easy. But you're still left with the non-automated thing. A google search of an inquiry to the creators of the scripts might reveal an automation.

I'd be glad to help (email the script) if you like, and give walk-through directions, or even do it for you (except, you don't even know me, so why would you give me access to your control panel, right?). Let me know if I can do any more.

wow...those two ALMOST make me wish I were a geek...
sorry dude, can't help you out, but it seems as though you're in good hands.

It's very easy! Just install this plugin: http://thedeadone.net/sw/000480.shtml

When I say "install," all I really mean is put the file on your server, set the chmod to 755, and then go to its URL. That's all it takes. It's so simple, even *I* could figure out how to do it, and that's saying something.

Oops: I see I repeated scorpy. But seriously: it really is very very very easy.

S'allright, Ariel. You made it easier. You actually gave a link to it and stuff.

I just came back to say:
I totally stumbled on that "fix," and I'm totally NOT a geek. I have an MT goddess I usually pass this stuff off to, even though it's my own domain and I should know it by now, but then, I'm a stranger and totally babbling in comments, and I should just apologize now and leave.

Sorry.
'Bye.

If you were on Wordpress, we have the spaminator which has kept all spam off my site since installation. It is quite sweet.

you people all rule. i owe you all money or hugs or free porn or something.

Yup. And I think you can close all comments at once, and/or time the comments to close after a few days. I need to do that myself, actually.

I also opt to not be alerted by e-mail when there is a comment. That will save on the payload into your inbox.

And don't forget to e-mail yourself your MT address before you leave! I always forget to do that, then can't get to my MT.

I didn't read through these comments, so ignore me if you already got your answer...

http://mt-plugins.org/archives/entry/closecomments.php

Hey, I tried.

this is easy as pie, took me less then ten minutes to get it working http://www.rayners.org/2003/12/closing_comments_on_old_entries.php

These geeks rock! I just had to hand-delete 700+ entries.... hope these things work for you. I'd hate to miss the big world tour!

anyone know if those scripts work in MT ver. 2.51?

I'm having no luck.

test

i just had to do all of this, & i changed my comments file so the bots can't find it. if you still need help, let me know. it was much easier than i expected. if i can do it, trust me - you can too. email me if needed; may be a coupla days due to the holiday.