In the post 100,100 Spam Comments Deleted from PrefBlog (which got a spam comment an hour ago), the suggestion was made that first-time comments be held for moderation. This proposal was seconded and passed unanimously.
Accordingly, first time comments will be held for moderation – I will approve almost anything that isn’t spam.
The spam has really slowed down in the New Year – only about 100 per day, down from the peak of about 500/day reached in early- to mid-December; but I’m making the change anyway.