Random Graphics Instead Of Captchas

Ways to improve Turing tests

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

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System: The following message was cut out of thread at: http://www.webmasterworld.com/community_building/3189351.htm [webmasterworld.com] by trillianjedi - 7:31 pm on Dec. 15, 2006 (utc 0)

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I have been thinking that a better method than captcha would be to display a random graphic or image of every day, unambiguous articles like a cup, spoon, fork, ball, etc. The user could be asked to input the name of the article for verification. Wouldn't this be much harder to detect?

If this idea is stupid disregard it. If you use it make a million send me cheque. :)

[trillianjedi]

Interesting idea.

Language could be an issue? I guess you could theoretically bolt it into a translator...

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

There are lots of options and variations that could be used. For example you could ask what colour is the image, etc.

Added: I don't really see language being any more of a problem than it is in other situations. In the English version of the site you would have an English list, in the Spanish version a Spanish list, etc.

Para me no es dificil.

[edited by: BeeDeeDubbleU at 10:16 am (utc) on Dec. 16, 2006]

[rkrause]

Dear BeeDeeDubbleU:

Very interesting topic. Personally, I am all for the comprehensive elimination of CAPTCHA systems. A random photo/illustration solution that is rotated at random, in my mind, is a far more feasible and user-friendly alternative even if just for the short term.

The technique I employ for my site is particularly unique but still simple to implement. I developed an obfuscated Javascript function that generates the entire input form on the fly based both on a random token in the page and a random token in the corresponding .JS file. Not only does it not require any user-intervention, but I have not received a single automated post in the past five months.

--Randall

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

Yes, I think this idea has possibilities. There are lots of variations in questioning techniques that could be used to ensure that the visitor is human.