For the convenience of my readers, to this point I’ve left commenting mostly open on my blog. In other words, all someone has needed to comment is a correctly formed e-mail address. This is different from some blogs where you must register and login before you can comment. My filter has done a good job blocking spam, so I’ve never needed to restrict commenting.

Now the spam filter is doing its job too well. Some of my readers have left comments were wrongly marked as spam. If I hear about it, I rescue those comment. Usually the task of wading through hundreds of spam comments without even knowing if something is there is too much. (To get an idea of how much spam there is out there, look at this graph.)

You now have the option of becoming a member of The Backward Glance. (It sounds more exciting than it is.) You can register to receive an user name and password. You can then login to the site. Be sure to check the box “remember me.” You don’t have to fill out any other information if you don’t want, except your website if you have one. From then on, if you comment while you’re logged in your comments should escape the spam filter. All these links are also in the sidebar.

You’ll still be able to comment without registering, but registering might make sure your comments get posted.