At my site at http://www.jonathanspencer.net where I have a blog, I originally ran weblog 1.4 module, with open access to commenting and trackback, then I began to get spammed, so I battened down the hatches and eventually had to move over to the excellent WordPress Module which was more secure and use a secure trackback wordpress plugin.

However now, to protect the site, you cannot comment or use trackback unless you are registered, and people have stopped commenting, I encourage people as much as possible to register but they don't....and they have stopped commenting. My site still gets alot of hits but interactivity is at a standstill.

I thought about stopping anonymous users looking at full articles but this also stops Google spidering the articles as i understand it.

What are my options, anyone any suggestions for encouraging registration??

Sorry macmend.... I've experienced the same problem. I have no answer but would love to hear one.

btw. It may not simply be the registration that slows down participation. Other things do that too. Try placing a simple poll on the site to see if you can get some feedback from folks on why they've stopped commenting....