One of the things that really drew me to blogging was that it was such an open multidirectional conversation. I could have my corner of the web and write there with ease, and other people were welcome to come along and comment. If they wanted to write a little more, they could use their own blog, and link back to my thoughts, and the magic of trackback meant links would appear on my blog too.
After a while the scum of the earth started posting comment spam. At first it was just annoying, then it became a hassle, and eventually it became a serious problem. It ended up as a cat and mouse game: hiding the comment scripts so that automated spam tools would struggle to attack. Adding restrictions to posting. Generally raising the barrier, making it harder for spammers, but making it harder for the regular user, too.
For the last three days, like a lot of other people, I've been hit by trackback spam, averaging around 200 hits a day. So now I have to turn off trackback, and that little slice of the jigsaw is closed too.
Sure, I could update to a new blog engine, but that takes time I don't have right now. Sure, I could police the blog and take out the trash, but I don't have time for that either. It's gone from being a fun multidirectional conversation to a chore.
What's scary is that it took email maybe 35 years to reach the point of being completely useless. It's taken blogs less than five years to become seriously crippled. Ah, progress.
Have you noticed the Google "rel=nofollow" idea for combatting blog spam? Seems like a good idea, I don't know how long it will take for the effects to filter through, though:
http://www.google.com/googleblog/2005/01/preventing-comment-spam.html
And it's a damned shame to see Trackback getting abused..
Posted by: Steve D at February 4, 2005 8:46 AM