Not So Fast

Do you want to allow anonymous users to comment, but also want to ensure that the email addresses they enter are THEIRS? Not So Fast creates a new column in the comment approval queue labeled "Email is verified?". When anonymous users post comments, an email is sent to the address they specify. The email contains a link which, when clicked, will register their address as being verified. Site administrators can then determine whether to approve or delete comments based on this new criterion.

Not So Fast works as an excellent spam deterrent, but also permits site administrators to keep in touch with (and keep records of) the anonymous users who post on their sites.

I am open to suggestions about future directions for this module.

Initial development of Not So Fast was sponsored by Alice Schroeder, biographer of Warren Buffett. Her site encourages the posting of anonymous comments as a way of stimulating discussion about difficult topics. Prior to the release of Not So Fast, anonymous users on aliceschroeder.com took advantage of the complete lack of accountability introduced by being able to input fake email addresses. Now, their anonymity to the site's other users is preserved, but there is greater accountability for what they post, since site administrators now possess working email addresses with which to contact (or block) them.