Just wanted to apologize for all the spammy blog posts on the NetSquared Community Blog over the weekend. 

Even though we check out everyone who registers on the NetSquared site to make sure they are real people, there are spammers that slip through the cracks :(

Flickr Image Credit: No Spam uploaded by Stefano Brivio.

We have been getting a lot of spam comments on the site lately. I mean, a lot. So, now you have to be registered and logged into netsquared.org in order to comment. We hate putting up obstacles to participation, but you know how it is. Can't let the spam bring you down.

Side note: The Anti-Spam Coalition has some good tips for reducing spam as does the TechSoup article, Things You Can Do to Prevent Spam.

Sign up for FREE anti-spam software from Mailshell

For just 24 hours on December 5, nonprofit organizations and public libraries can request free anti-spam desktop software, donated by Mailshell, at TechSoup Stock. This special offer is part of the 5th annual "Stop Spam Today!" campaign.

ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE

* U.S. nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status

As one of our readers pointed out yesterday, we have been getting a lot of SPAM posts lately. So far we've been managing it by deleting the post as fast as we can (sometimes they are sneaky though and post during the night!) and blocking the users.

Because the Net2 blog is a community blog and anyone can register to post on it, it is difficult for us to stop spammers.

If you have any tips or advice, please let me know at bbravo@techsoup.org.

Photo Credit: SPAM Mobile Side by Mulad.

I've been thinking about beginning to more aggressively email people and organizations that I find on the web who I think might be interested in my podcast.  The conceived email would just include a short introduction and invitation to check out the show.

I'm sensitive about the unsolicited emails that I receive and this has me thinking, what is spam?  If I take the time to find people that I think might be interested in something that I am doing, and send an email to the person, should that exclude me from junk mail category?  What if I personalize each email?  What if I don't and just bcc every address?   If  the email is readily available on the web, does that mean that the person is open to receive  solicitations?