Argh.

[vr_trakowski]

I have a guestbook on my site--a simple one, but it does what I want it to, which is to provide an easy way for visitors to leave feedback. (Yes, it hasn't been working recently--my fault--it's fixed now). It came with the site template, and I'm glad, because I don't know nearly enough to create or even modify one.

The trouble is the spam. I have bots depositing ridiculous numbers of posts on the thing, often obscene ones, which is very, very irritating--it means I have to go clean it out almost on a daily basis. Not difficult, but tedious. The site host does catch and block some of them, but not all.

I've looked around the help section and the forums for my host, and it doesn't seem to be a solvable problem at the moment. The bots apparently get around blocks, or at least there are so many new ones that the blocks can't keep up. I'm not blaming my host for this--it's a nuisance the host is not responsible for, and the guestbook feature is a free one. Yes, I pay now for extras, but it's still ridiculously cheap.

I don't know what to do. I've looked into other guestbooks, but I can't seem to find one from a service I would actually trust at a price I can afford (which is admittedly low), and I haven't the expertise to create one from scratch nor, at the moment, the time to get that expertise. Or probably the required software, either.

Those of you who read this thing--advice? Should I put up with the spam, go on clearing it out, to leave people the easy click of instant feedback? Should I dump it, given that my e-mail address is on my main page? Is there a way to scramble the link somehow so that someone can manually correct it in their location bar (still easier than a separate e-mail)? Am I putting too much thought into this? :P

Thanks...

Comments

[anamin.livejournal.com]

I don't know a darn thing about HTML and I would vote for dumping, but I avoid confrontation like brussel sprouts, so you know where I'm coming from. Good luck with that because I wouldn't be able to put up with all the spam.

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

It's not hard to remove, but it is frustrating because it quickly appears again. I don't know--is the resource really worth it, I guess is the question.

[dirtyvirgin.livejournal.com]

ummm, this has naught to do with your post (because i fear i am technologically illiterate) but it has to do with you! i wanted to wish you a happy birthday and hope that you have a wonderful day. i've been reading your work for almost a year and i love it. i look forward to your fics as much as any novel release. so thank you and i hope that this year kicks all ass.

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Thank you! My day was great, actually. I'm glad you enjoy the stories! It's kind of you to say so. :D