Dagnabbit-- a phrase coined by the cartoon character, Elmer
Fudd, when referring to Bugs Bunny (Dang rabbit) is the word I use to identify
my online nemesis, namely Captcha.
Captcha or word verification is something websites use to
cull out the spam from the real comments.
I guess it serves a purpose but lately I am beginning to think that it
also leaves some of my comments out in the cold.
For some odd reason I just can’t seem to get a captcha
phrase that I can actually decipher. When I try to comment, the made up word is
a mangled mess and I have to guess.
I’ve never been good at guessing games, so I get a message that
basically tells me…”if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again”, with
emphasis on the try, try.
Sometimes I give up. Sometimes the tenacious side of me
takes over and I keep trying or hitting the little squiggle that tosses out
another mixed up word.
Just to clarify I don’t want to put anyone through this, so
I have disabled captcha on my blogs.
Downside: I get
a ton of anonymous comments. And
lately these spammers have really picked up the tempo and I’ve seriously
contemplated re-instating captcha.
Don’t fret, it was just a passing thought, I’m having too much fun
deleting these comments en masse. It’s simple.
Blogger captures, I delete.
For the benefit of these robotic spammers:
You are wasting your time I don’t buy drugs online or
otherwise
Your ridiculous attempts at flattery fall on deaf ears
Your poor grammar in these fake comments just make me
laugh…I thought robots were smart!
Don’t make up a name to get past the spam filter, I still
catch you and delightfully – DELETE!
Now, lets just see how smart these robots really are. I’ll
let you all know if I get any spam comments on this post!!!
Update: As of December 19th, I have had three anonymous comments on this post. To the robots responsible, I really don't care if your brother directed you to this blog, or that my information is just what you are looking for. To everyone else, welcome and stick around for a while. Pull up a chair and set a spell :-)
Lately I've found the captcha words are so twisted and in some cases faded that having foggy eyes like I do it's impossible to see anything but a dim gray blur. If I don't have luck getting it right after three attempts I know it's time to give up. I removed the captcha from my site and was getting more than my fair share of anonymous comments but I haven't been bothered since I figured out how to flag them to be sent to junk mail.
ReplyDeleteI get very frustrated with it too. In fact, I write this wonderful comment I'm so please with, and after 10 tries, and unsuccessful..give up...so much for my neat comment.
ReplyDeleteI just got a slew of anon comments trying to sell drugs, too. Poor English and posted to one post that was four year old! Seriously?! I changed my settings so I don't allow anon comments.
ReplyDeleteThe Captcha letters lately have been next to impossible to decipher. I usually try 3 or 4 times and then give up. I don't get any strange comments. If I do I'll just delete them.
ReplyDeleteGood topic, Crystal. Those mass spammers can't possibly think that we'd even bother to look at their junk e-mails. So, why do they bother?
ReplyDeleteLove it! Great post on a topic that frustrates us all.
ReplyDeleteMy spam comments have gone from 8 a day to over 60!!! I thought it had something to do with my changing teh settings (I had free posting /changed to no anonymous / back to free)but it seems it was a general thing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Crystal, for reminding me to turn off my 'Word verification' - I've been meaning to do it for a while, ever since I noticed the captchas getting virtually impossible to read!
ReplyDeleteI already get a few really weird comments on old posts that look as if someone has just strung together random words that might apply to my blog. They don't bother me too much but it'll be interesting to see if I get a lot more now that I've turned off the captchas.
People on Zazzle were complaining about how difficult they were to get right and someone mentioned that they complained to google. After that they became much easier - no problem at all. So I wonder if there's someone we can let know that they are really putting people off commenting!
You are so cute Crystal! It will be interesting to see if you do get any spams on this post. Take Care ;o)
ReplyDeleteI haven't had it on my blogs for a long time and quit commenting on the blogs that have it, too. Having a blind follower and knowing many people with poor eyesight...it is really unfair to them. And me, too. I can't figure them out most of the time.
ReplyDeleteI also delight in deleting. It's not so hard to ferret them out. I always wonder who would see a random comment on a blog and think--yes--I want to buy viagra from them! ?? LOLOL!