Excellent idea - seems to have done the trick.***SNIP***
on a side note, any1 else notice that we've had virtually no spam over the past several wks? nice isnt it. I added a variable field on the registration page, to require an add'l visual verification -- the bots are set up to blow right past the standard IB verification, so adding the 2nd one throws them off. EYE PWN SPAMM3RS!!1!!