MMeM, Vol. 8 Issue 4

Is there anything else on the Internet quite as frustrating as CAPTCHAs? You know, I understand the need. We’re trying to stop spamming programs and computers from overloading different applications and social networks with fake identities and all. But, I for one have a HELL of a time trying to get past these CAPTCHAs and I’m human.

Maybe we should put those things on cars too. Even today it’s still possible to open a car door with a coat hanger. It’s not as easy or possible as it used to be, but there are some cars where you can, so I’ve been told, still do it.

But really if these things are designed to stop technological methods to get around security then maybe they should be applied to online credit card purchases. No, probably not. MySpace and Blogger are in far more need of such complicated security. And, one of the biggest questions I’ve always had about CAPTCHAs, but NEVER remember to ask once I get past one of those nasty little traps, is are they supposed to be real words or not?

Then there’s always one pile of characters, that you glance at and think, “Oh yeah, I got this”. But, once you get to the next pile of characters you have NO IDEA WHAT IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE. Then, you stare, and think, and look back at the one you were sure of before only now you’re not sure anymore. So, you “RE-CAPTCHA” and see what the devil dog CAPTCHA system is going to torture you with next.

Frustration sets in and you are beat. Someone nearby happily asks you, “What’s wrong?” Trying to explain this simple problem is SO difficult and embarrassing and some how, some way, the person who asked looks at you as you struggle to explain like you are speaking in CAPTCHA. Oh sure, the one person in a 100 mile radius who asks you honestly tells you they have no idea what you are talking about and have never had to deal with one of those “Capture” things?

You give up. You are locked out of whatever social media account you were trying to get into and a neighbor or co-worker thinks you were trying to crack the security system to access pornography.

Go. To. Hell. CAPTCHA. Err wait, let me put that in your terms, “gOT0hEllcAptCHa“