New Registered Users Disabled by Default?

[Andrew Smalera]

Hi,
Is there a way to say that users who just registered have disabled accounts 
by default?  That way as an admin I can check and verify registrations 
before a new user can start blogging.

Also is there a way to say that users can't create new blog entries (only 
use existing ones that I've created and assigned to them).

Thanks,
Andrew