I am going to give this technique a try, as put together by Migual Jimenez (another version is here). The idea is to put a “code” in an image down by the submit button and require the user to enter it prior to form submission. People can read it, machines cannot, so automated comment spam bots should, theoretically, be unable to spam my comments section.
I installed Migual's without having to make any code changes, but there are a few issues I want to address. Its a bit hard to read and I'd prefer only 3-4 characters be required (instead of the occasional 6). And I'd like the validation controls to work as well.
So, the good news is my new blog is relatively protected from 'bot comment spam. And it discourages people spam as well. Hmm...