New members joining - question

[Lalaith]

I've sent a young Tolkien fan of my acquaintance here as I thought he would enjoy the fellowship and scholarship of the Downs. He 'activated' his account a couple of days ago but his membership is still awaiting moderation. How long, generally, should this limbo period last?
I seem to remember my membership being up and running straight away, back in the Elder Days, but those were happier times, when it was enough to just speak "friend" and enter. I suppose with the coming of the Spambots out of the East, we are living in more suspicious times....