One of the greatest (currently) unaddressed issues in WordPress is that there's no way to moderate user registrations. There are only two settings: anyone can register themselves (the administrator will be notified) and only the administrator creates registrations. There's no in between and no hooks for changing this with a plugin. I leave registrations open so new readers can create an account whenever they want. The problem is that spam bots will also generate registrations. I get three or four spam bots trying to register each week.
If the user name or e-mail isn't obviously spammy, I'll send an e-mail asking for confirmation. If I don't get that confirmation (and I rarely do), then I know it's spam. Here are the e-mails from the latest instance.
The automatic notification:
New user registration on your blog A Feast of Crumbs:
Username: John Doe
E-mail: nondescriptmail@majorisp.com
My challenge:
Hi!
Are you a spam bot?
I get a lot of bogus registrations. If you do not respond to this message, I will assume yours is one of them and will delete your account.
The registrant's response to my challenge:
No I'm not a spam bot. Don't even know what that is. I just got this card from Philip Morris to sign for savings and coupouns for my smokes. I went to the web site it said to and this is where I ended up. So if I'm on the wrong site pllease let me know so I can get to where I need to be. I smoke Marlboros and have for 30 plus years. I just would like to get some coupons mailed to me.
Thanx John
Next from me:
Oh! Somehow you ended way offtrack, friend. You registered on my blog at feastofcrumbs.com. I think what you're looking for is http://www.smokersignup.com/ That's where you sign up for coupons for Philip Morris products.
Next from him:
Hey, Thanx alot friend. I appreciate the info.
Wow. Dude was really lost. I should have asked for his credit card number to confirm his age.
posted at 06/06/2007 07:10 am : Permalink
Categorized Geekery : Tagged coupon, lost, Marlboro, Philip Morris, smoking, spam, WordPress
9. I smoke, right? My preferred cigarette is Marlboro Menthol 72s. These cigarettes are available in two varieties: green stripe and blue stripe. I smoke both, because I can't tell them apart.
I know they're supposed to be different, and I'm sure they actually are, but I have no idea in what way. When they were new to the market each pack came with a mini-pamphlet filled with lovely buzzwords that sounded very appealing but were utterly meaningless. Both varieties were described with words like "smooth," "bold," "flavorful" and "rich," all of which are terms that can also be used to describe a good BBQ sauce. I tried smearing one of the cigarettes on a bacon cheeseburger and found the experience entirely unsatisfying.
In my quest to determine how the green and blue stripe varieties might differ, preferably in terms that actually apply to the inhalation of smoke from a burning concoction of dried plant matter and industrial chemicals, I have had no luck. Marlboro.com redirects to a site where I can sign up for coupons. The Philip Morris website contains a mix of stop smoking links and the standard corporate claptrap — but absolutely no product promotion. I can read about how my chosen cigarette contains a smattering of licorice extract, but I cannot read about why I might want to choose the blue flavor over the green. Even my beloved Wikipedia lacks the information I sought.
I say "sought" because I am no longer seeking. I don't care how they might be different. If I can't tell them apart, what does it really matter anyway? But this does leave me with a minor conundrum. What should I say when I say "Marb Menthol 72s, please" and the clerk asks "blue or green?"
In the past I've answered that I don't care, I can't tell the difference. This is not as easy as you might think. I've received everything from blank stares to outright refusals to make this choice for me. Fortunately I am a creature of habit and the lovely women who usually attends me at the gas station after work on Friday has learned my pattern and cheerily offers, "Some of each, hon?"
posted at 03/06/2007 08:12 am : Permalink
Categorized 100 things : Tagged Marlboro, Philip Morris, smoking
Got a little doodad in the mail yesterday. The fine folks at Philip Morris sent me a little black carton about the size of a paperback book festooned with a few Marlboro logos.
I've received packages like this before. Usually it's a packet of coupons, but sometimes there's also a Marlboro themed object of some sort. I've received things like lighters, cigarette cases, a "personal litter device," et al.
Yesterday's item was a cube of pool cue chalk. WTF? I don't recall ever filling out some survey saying "Yes, I really like billiards and often find myself needing more blue chalk cubes."
posted at 06/30/2006 08:35 am : Permalink
Categorized Huh? : Tagged free stuff, Marlboro