The quickest way to block spammers in MT is to rename the mt-comments.cgi file to something else, mt-rachel.cgi or mydogatemyshoes.cgi or something. Then open your mt.cfg and scroll down in that, there should be a place to tell it what you’ve renamed the comments file to. (Although I’m not sure what version you’re using, it’s possible you’re on an early one where this option doesn’t exist.)

Another option is to upgrade to v2.661 (which is still available at the MT site and rename the comments script like I’ve described.

A third option is to upgrade to MT v3.11 which has excellent comment approval options, combined with renaming the comments file, can achieve near zero spam.

Of course, as you mentioned, you could switch to WordPress which has similar features. 🙂

(The renaming thing works well because the spammers don’t visit your site, they google for sites that have MT on them, then they use an automated program to send directory to mt-comments.cgi. So if the file is renamed, 404, nothing happens. The spammers don’t bother to check on the 404s, their program just moves on to the next site.)

(And hi! I used to be on the WomenDesigners list a couple years ago, you were/are on that list, iirc, and I was cleaning out my bookmarks and found your edgeofmyseat site and added your blog to my newsreader. My RL name is Stephanie but I used to go by Stevie on the WD list because there was another Stephanie there. :))