Do you verify e-mail addresses?

I've been debating over this for a while. I have a large chunk of users that have never verified their e-mail addresses. I'm sure a portion of that is spam accounts, but how many more of those accounts would've posted if they didn't have to verify their e-mail first?

Has anyone switched from verifying addresses to not verifying and noticed an increase in spam and or posting in general?

I would suggest having it because you will get users who sign up with fake address so they dont get your newsletters.

I dont have it on my forum right now, but if you have proper anti-spam measures you shouldn't get to much spam.

it was too much of a hassel to handle. everyone kept bouncing, legit people weren't getting in.

I turned it off a long time ago. I think you'll find that most people actually do use a real email address anyway