When working on a WordPress () blog, posts often take center stage. However, the comments are often just as important – they create valuable discussion. And yet the default WordPress comment box is simplistic and uninspiring – here are Mashable’s () favorite comment-focused WordPress plugins that can eliminate spam, improve the appearance of comments, and add more value to your posts.

Fight Spam

Akismet – Antispam plugin from the creators of Wordpress that uses a central database of spam comments to flag spam. Requires a free API key from Wordpress.com ()

Spam Karma – Analyzes comments for spam based on a karma system.

Bad Behavior – Prevents spambots from even accessing your site by analyzing their HTTP requests.

Did You Pass Math? – Asks commenters a simple math question before their comments are posted.

Comment Timeout – Closes comments on old posts. Read the rest of this entry »