Vakkotaur

I'd long had things set up so that those without LJ accounts could comment, but I would have to review and approve such things before they became visible. That has just changed. No more anonymous comments. I don't like doing this, but so far I don't recall ANY non-spammer making an 'anonymous' comment this year. But it's been nothing but a parade of spammers. That ends now.

It finally occurred to me that the one big reason I hadn't made that change before has gone. My father, who did not create an LJ account, would occasionally comment. He certainly won't be commenting any more. And whatever real comments would show up on my rants about a couple companies with dubious advertising seem to have tapered off to nothing. And because those posts were more commonly linked to, they tended to attract spambots.

So, now one must have an LJ account to comment here. I'd still rather not do this, but until spammers are all "sponged and purged and, if need be, blasted from the surface of the earth" this is the best option to stop the bastards in my journal.

Spammers delenda est!
(or is it Spammers delendae sunt! ? )

A few nights ago I answered the phone and started to get a spiel about offerings from the phone company I already have for local call, long distance (but never use as that's what Vonage is for) and DSL. I hung up on them, saying that I already did business with them. Of course, they know that, as it lets them exploit that loophole in the No Call List law.

Monday evening I got a call and checked the caller ID. It was listed as an 800 number so I was suspicious. I did answer, but said nothing. And I heard absolute silence. No office background, no call center background, no ambient noise at all. Eventually the call was dropped as the automated dialer system didn't get a signal.

Last night I got another call, which also showed as an 800 number. I answered again, and waited a bit. Then I said something like "quantum physics" and that was enough to trip the automation to switch and the spiel was on. When there was a pause and I was asked about things, I replied that I was just about to call and cancel their service. A moment of stunned silence was music to me. "Why? Switching to cell?" "Well, $TELCO keeps calling me whenever I'm in the middle of something." It is claimed that I am now on their own Do Not Solicit list, but really, how stupid does someone have to be to call a customer and sell at them when they are on the state and national Do Not Call lists? Doing business with them because they are the only choice in town does not mean I'm inviting them to sell at me.

I halfway expect I'll get another call tonight despite the claim. I'm not sure if I'll answer it and squawk about that, or just let it go to the answering machine.