Anti-spammer measures - input sought!

Started by RacingHippo, January 05, 2011, 11:55:53 AM

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RacingHippo

In response to Pedro's cry for help as he drowned in fake registrations, I've changed the registration page so that it's got a better bot-filter.
I have installed a new widget on the sign-up page: the Formulated Recogniser Of Spammy Types*



The signer-upper has to drag and drop the items into the correct columns, see?
Currently I've got just two different questions in it, but we could do with more.
Here's what we have so far:

Q:Who of these are current or previous members of Frost*?
A (Frost*ies): Jem Godfrey, John Mitchell, Nathan King, Craig Blundell
A (Not Frost*ie at all): Frank Zappa, Brett Domino

Q: Which of these are British biscuits?
A (Is a biscuit): Custard Cream, Hob-nob, Bourbon, Jammie Dodger
A (Not a biscuit): John Mitchell, Fantom G7


Suggesions please!!  :mrgreen:

* AKA "Sortables CAPTCHA"
* May contain nuts.

Pedro

I say this is awfully spiffing of you RH. Thanks a muchness.
I love the idea and really hope we can set something like this up.

I don't want to shoot down the suggestions and I will try to make counter-suggestions to compensate (after lunch though, I'm wasting away...) but the pedant in me would like to say something....
Might the British bicsuits one be a bit tricky for genuine non-UK applicants?
Similarly, can we expect newbies to know all the previous/current members of Frost*?
"Putting food on the table is more important than 7/8"

catherine

Q: What sort of music does Frost* play?

A: Progressive Rock, R'n'B, Hip-hop, Soul, Garage, Easy Listening

gr8gonzo

I agree that a newbie may not know the answers to those first two questions, but I love the idea of having registrants jump through a few hoops (a simple task for true fans) and believe it will be effective. I'll ponder on this a bit after I wake up.
...and I can feel the world is turning...turn around

RacingHippo

Quote from: "Pedro"...the pedant in me would like to say something....
Might the British bicsuits one be a bit tricky for genuine non-UK applicants?
Similarly, can we expect newbies to know all the previous/current members of Frost*?

Ah well. That's why I made the "wrong" answers bleedin' obvious.
I mean, if you think Zappa is in Frost*, you're clearly trying it on. I spose folks might not know who Brett Domino is though, I'll grant you. I might change it to Wolfgang A. Mozart.

No comments about wanting to eat a John Mitchell, please.

Alternative suggestions are welcomed, nevertheless.

Also, this is less to do with checking people are bona-fide Frost* fans as making sure they're human beans; the majority of spam users are computer-submitted - this befuddles the computer.
* May contain nuts.

RacingHippo

Quote from: "catherine"Q: What sort of music does Frost* play?
A: Progressive Rock, R'n'B, Hip-hop, Soul, Garage, Easy Listening

I quite like that.
Which are the correct answers?
* May contain nuts.

Mordwin


Drarok

I'm pretty sure Frost* are the only band where I know the members' names, others might not be so fortunate.

Great idea, but perhaps the questions could be made very very simple. I once signed up somewhere that showed a few pictures of animals, and told you to choose 3 cats. Very easy, anyone could do it, but difficult to automate. :)

Pedro

Can we do pictures? I like the sound of that.
"Putting food on the table is more important than 7/8"

RacingHippo

Quote from: "Pedro"Can we do pictures? I like the sound of that.
I've done pictures on another site, but the snag with them is making them "accessible" - visually impaired folks wouldn't be so good at identifying pictures  :oops: Not that it's a huge issue, but one likes to Do Things Properly an' all.

The other, bigger snag is that we're limited to what CAPTCHA plug-ins are available for phpBB, and I can't find one that does images reliably. I could theoretically write one to do whatever we wanted, but I ain't got the time to write and, more critically, test one!

I chose the Sortables one because a) it made a change from the usual wiggly-writing ones and b) it's dead easy to make as easy or hard as we want by changing the Qs and As.
And c) had potential for being appropriately daft and in-keeping with the spirit of the forum.

And it's better than what we had :)


BTW I've changed the two non-Frost*ies to "Wolfgang A. Mozart" and "George W. Bush". SHould be fairly obvious at that, I reckon.
* May contain nuts.

Big Black Shed

Fair do's RH. You are a proper clever so-and-so.  :D
It's not the winning or even taking part. It's the arsing about that counts.

Pedro

Quite right - much appreciate any and all help to cut out the little beggers.  :)
"Putting food on the table is more important than 7/8"

rogerg

thank goodness I've already registered.  I would hate to have to see George Bush's name again....

RacingHippo

Quote from: "rogerg"thank goodness I've already registered.  I would hate to have to see George Bush's name again....
It was the first name that came to mind when I needed someone completely ridiculous....
* May contain nuts.

rogerg

Quote from: "RacingHippo"
Quote from: "rogerg"thank goodness I've already registered.  I would hate to have to see George Bush's name again....
It was the first name that came to mind when I needed someone completely ridiculous....

Phyllis Diller is ridiculous, George Bush is a tragedy....   :lol: