Captchas have been around now for a few years but still some web sites use them more as a Darwin award then a Turing test.
For them it seems that captchas help to keep traffic from annoying passers-by at a minimum.
Here is our collection of the funniest, most unusual or plain unusable captchas – 10.5 ways to assure that (almost ) nobody will be able to access your web site.
1. The Matrix captcha
Well known for its strong access control and nearly insolubility. Can be further tightened with Chinese, Japanese or Sanskrit characters.
2. Einstein’s portal
This one exists in multiple variations. Unresolvable or nonsense equations and some you can actually crack with the Google calculator (if you can’t find your Math PhD documents at that very moment).
Link for this example: irb.hr
3. The Rorschach test
The Rorschach captchas have dual functionality build-in. First they allow to test the personality characteristics and emotional functioning of potential users for your web site, and secondly they are excellent for testing the patience of visitors. Use more than one within a single data entry process and the popularity of your web site is guaranteed.
Image link for this example: Flickr
7 more captchas plus cartoons after the jump
4. The Happy Eastern captcha
Very popular in spring. Can be enhanced with multiple colors. Alternative versions use page color for entry field’s foreground and background color.
Image link for this example: Flickr
5. The Chess Master’s revenge
Provide endless fun (>10exp9 combinations) to your users. Can be further enhanced with a bonus question, e.g. name start position (Catalan opening: Benoni variation is shown)
6. The six year old
Welcome to the wonderful world of children drawings. It’s a house, no it’s a plane…
Image link for this example: Flickr
7. The dog ate my code
Clean, plain design, no code implemented. Guaranteed no disturbing requests from users.
Image link for this example: Flickr
8. The Crazy Scientist
Very popular with student web sites. Let your visitors do your homework.
Link for this example: mipt.ru
9. The Hidden Message
Advertise the content of your web site with captchas. Political messages create most fun with closed user groups.
Image link for this example: Flickr
9a. The Hidden Message (2)
A variation of the previous captcha type. You can sell goods and services with your captcha too.
Link for this example: hotcaptcha.com
10. Don’t be insulted just type dude
Always entertaining and the first lackmus test for your users before they start accessing your half ready web site.
Image links for this example: thedailywtf.com and Flickr
Bonus: Captcha Comics
click on the images for the links
Xkcd: A new captcha approach
Geek & Poke: Simply Explained 9 – Captcha
HandRooster: I’m a bot
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In the best tradition of the “dadaist” nihilistic movement from the 1920s, these sites don’t exactly do anything or provide any useful information – in short they are a bit pointless.
Remember what the “first web cam” was used for – to monitor a coffee pot. Yes that’s the spirit.
Let’s create an art out of this….
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