[stcusesig_l] Using Captcha in Registration

[Caroline Jarrett]

The aim of a 'captcha' is to try to ensure that the entity filling out 
the form is a human, as opposed to an automated device that's just 
trying to spam you.

It's extra work for your real users, and poses some definite 
accessibility problems.

To decide whether to use one or not, figure out:
- how annoying it is going to be for your real users
- how to solve the accessibility problems
- how much effort it will be to remove spam items from your database
- whether anyone is trying to spam you anyway.

Then balance the different factors.

I'd say, it's nearly always better to avoid the use of a captcha. I've 
seen a few places where there's some simpler method of figuring out 
whether the person is a human, for example asking the person to retype 
some obvious (ordinary) text that requires a bit of understanding to 
resolve (e.g. "Please type the letters YES in this box" - I'm making 
this up but it's an example). This is more accessible, but may still 
pose problems for some types of disability especially cognitive. So on 
the whole, I'd avoid these things altogether until you have proved 
that you're getting a seriously difficult spam problem.

Your circumstances may be different.

Best,

Caroline Jarrett
caroline.jarrett at effortmark.co.uk
07990 570647

Effortmark Ltd
Usability - Forms - Content

We have moved. New address:
16 Heath Road
Leighton Buzzard
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Sandeep.Rathod at zycus.com>
To: <stcusesig_l at mailman.stc.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2008 11:54 AM
Subject: [stcusesig_l] Using Captcha in Registration


: Would like to know what is the importance of using 'Captcha' (some 
spanned
: words forcing users to enter as they read with refresh 
functionality) and
: Why one should use this on registration page; If the only purpose of 
this
: application is to get all the text digitize that were written before
: computer age. I personally think that it is a kind of a restriction 
for
: user to register quickly when the words are not readable on the 
screen.
:
: I am preparing a self registration page where I have been asked by 
my
: Product Management team; I am trying to figure it out what is the 
best way
: to implement this functionality and
:
:
: Best Regards,
: Sandeep Rathod
: Sr. HCI Designer
: This message has been comprehensively scanned for viruses,
: please visit http://www.avg.power.net.uk/ for details.
:


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