Purpose of “CAPTCHA”
CAPTCHA – those annoying little numbers and letters that are all tipsy that you have to figure out what they look like untipsy and then write them into a little box and push a button … and half the time redo it because you didn’t untipsy the stuff correctly! According to Wikipedia, “a CAPTCHA is a type of challenge-response test used in computing to determine whether the user is human. “CAPTCHA” is an acronym for “Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart”, trademarked by Carnegie Mellon University.” Wow – that is a mouthful!!
Monkeys and Owls, Digital © Diane Clancy
Completely understandably, many people start using CAPTCHA to protect their hard drives and computers from computer viruses. Understandable!! to want to protect yourself and your computer (is there a difference?) But that is not what CAPTCHA does.
CAPTCHA protects you from spammers. But, I don’t know about you, I don’t get that many spammers … in the spirit of full disclosure, WordPress has a dynamite spam catcher (Akismet) that comes installed with WordPress and you just have to activate it. And it is very effective – sometimes it catches your comments and I have to go free them from the Akismet monster …
And after a certain site linked to me while showcasing some of my graphic design work, my name did get out there for awhile. And I have traveled wide and far on the web asking technical questions and leaving my address … you have seen how I do …. so my blog has gotten out there in one sense.
But, for most of us blogging, we don’t really need to protect ourselves from those who are leaving comments just to link our blogs to their blogs (usually lists of links from what I see – I check them out before I delete them) so that we will go check them out. And I have friends who would love to have so much traffic at their blog that they needed protection … but no, most of us I know would LOVE more traffic!! So, if you are using CAPTCHA to protect your hard drive, then it is not necessary.
And anyone who has to use CAPTCHA because they are getting too much spam, I sure do understand! But you might want to try out and see if you really need the CAPTCHA … or not. I know I often have to try several times to get it correct … oh, oh … does this make me a computer rather than human? Nah … I make WAY too many mistakes … then again, I don’t think computers are as perfect as they are cracked up to be!! Well, you decide.
~ Diane Clancy
Technorati Tags: computer viruses, CAPTCHA, spam, WordPress, Akismet, graphic design
Wow, I had no idea, but now I know. I got a compliment on my coffee cup from a co-worker today and I pointed her to your blog and store…Such a pretty cup too.
I hate it. I am to the point where if someone has their word verification activated, I don’t leave a comment. It slows me down tremondously. I do not turn mine on. In over 32,000 blog hits, I have received 2 spam comments. That’s all. Not worth harassing my readers..
“Completely Automated Public Turing test to Tell Computers and Humans Apart”
I can tell computers from Humans, mine NEVER nags me!
… well, so seldom.
Where is irene?
thanks for saying something about this. i’ve had one spam message. big deal.
~Sue
I have had only one spam so far, in fact the only unpleasantness I’ve ever had was from people emailing me – which seems more likely – but I think some people have had some vindictive flaming, to be fair.
Hi Bobbie, I am thrilled you like your cup!! SO thrilled! And thank you for sending your friend in my direction. And – how would any of each know these things if we don’t tell each other – that is what friends are for!
Hi Julie, wow – 32,000 comments! I am very impressed! I do comment if I care passionately or if someone is important to me … but I understand the frustration. I share it.
Hi Naragulah, my computer talks back at me!! So how is yours so compliant? I will go ask Irene that you are asking for her!
Hi Sue, you are very welcome! Nice to see you!
Hi Frances, thank you for coming by, Frances. Spam of any kind is obnoxious in my opinion! I guess the thing is … if someone is flaming, then they can do the captcha just fine … it only stops the automated spam – not vindictive flaming … but you have a good and valid point – thank you!!
Thank you all!!
~ Diane Clancy
True Diane, I hadn’t thought of that, I guess I was giving paranoia the benefit of the doubt! I think some people have it on so that you have to be signed in to comment? maybe they think it gives them more control. Your explanation may help them to understand it won’t make a difference. I know some people do even vet the messages before they are published.
Hi Frances, I think your idea of people wanting more control is probably right on the mark! Even some big name blogs do have your comment sequestered until they get a chance to check it out. It is more fun to see my comment right away, but I prefer that to captcha myself – at least it doesn’t add a layer I have to do.
I think we all deserve the benefit of the doubt. Actually, here you do need to put a name and address … most blogs seem to need something. Like Blogger you have to be signed in to some google account – I think. At least it accepts my google account as a sign-in.
I like that though – paranoia the benefit of the doubt – almost poetic! Thank you for continuing this topic … I think it is tricky when talking about people’s preferences … and then how they interface with others.
Thank you!
~ Diane Clancy
Do you remember one of the first advices you gave me? It was about the captcha and I removed it…I hate it when I get human spam, if this is what’s called. I click on the sender and I get a website. The strange thing is that the website is actually about a subject/theme I posted…Weird.
The other thing I wanted to ask you was how come I have to fill in the captcha 2 or 3 times on the same blog?? It drives me crazy!!
Thanks again for being our master tech guru!
Hi Neda, you better believe I remember! I think that you have to fill in the CAPTCHA 2 or 3 times because you didn’t “read” it perfectly. I know I make lost of mistakes … an “i” for a “j” and such.
And these links are so weird. I keep getting offers to link back and forth from a pet stain removal place. I am delighted you consider me your master tech guru!!
~ Diane Clancy
Hi your comment is delightful.
I like your site..
See ya
Terrific blog post pertaining to Purpose of “CAPTCHA”. Thoroughly love this blog.
I guess I was giving paranoia the benefit of the doubt! I think some people have it on so that you have to be signed in to comment?