Stigmergic Web

It’s a great feeling when something you’ve done is so interesting to spammers, that they contact you personally. I received a comment to moderate in my e-mail this morning from Roger (I’m not giving a last name, and I’m definitely not going to put an URL up here) asking about my scuttle spam-proofing hack. Here’s the comment that Roger tried to leave:

I tried this with one of my scuttle sites, and I don’t see any difference. I must be doing somthing wrong. After I made the change what should I see when I log in as user with id 1? I checked sc_users and the Id I am using to log in is the user ID 1. Plus if you can help me limit the max tags per post. I am getting spammed to death…

The irony here is almost too much. Really, Roger, did you think I’d allow a comment – even an inocuous one before checking up on the commenter? Leaving the link to the web site – an installation of scuttle that is used for “internet marketing” was enough to mark you as a newbie, but to give your e-mail address so I can check the site for your “internet marketing company”. That’s just not thinking, buddy.

I was happy to see that you are up to date on all the latest social software, though. At least you’re staying on top of the latest web trends. Nice to see that you are offering advice on using social bookmarking and RSS to market a product. The software you offer sounds really interesting:

If you want to learn more about social bookmarking, or need a tool to automate the posting to many social bookmarking sites visit one of my other sites called XXXXXXXXXXX and learn more about social bookmarking and automation software…

Wow – you wanted me to give you more info on my hack so you could incorporate it into the next version of your software. I’m touched – really, there’s a small teardrop running down my cheek, I’m so overcome with emotion. But the irony of a spammer asking me advice for stopping spam – ROTFLMAO!!! Stop, Roger, my ribs are hurting.

The other irony here is that my hack is no longer effective against spammers, so the site has been shut down. Roger, you sly dog – were you the one who figured out how to spam my school’s bookmarking site? Or were you jealous that someone else figured out how to do it first? Sadly my hack is no longer effective – school’s get kinda touchy about someone leaving the kind of links that you left, Roger (or some other sleaze-ball spammer, whoever you are).

I’m not going to leave Roger’s full name here, or any mention of his site, or his “automation” software – sorry, Roger, I’m not going to give you any of my google-juice. But if anyone else in the edu-blogospere wants the above information, I’d be happy to let you know via e-mail. I’m at robwall@gmail.com (sorry, Roger, the gmail filters are pretty darn good at keeping you away from me). If I know of you, or you pass my scrutiny, I’ll send you the info.

And Roger, one more thing – spam this, buddy:

..|..(‘_’) ..|..

and give this a big smooch:

( )x( )