reCAPTCHA, in case you did not know, is that module that websites use to verify your human identity in order to prevent spam robots from sending out evil messages into your contact forms and what not. It consists of two words that are relatively messy (enough that you could read it, but the robots cannot), and requires the users to enter the text to match it.

the new reCAPTCHA module in action

the new reCAPTCHA module in action

Brixwork used to use something similar to it, using a server-side verification method. It was fine, but the security level was not as high, and it was easier for automated bots to read the garbled text. If this was not incentive enough, we recently learned that reCAPTCHA is not just a spam prevention verification module, but it also contributes greatly to our digital advancement as a civilization – by helping digitize old text & books.

Here is a fascinating video that was featured on TEDxTalk, with Luis von Ahn (creator of the reCAPTCHA system), on how he was inspired to use something so simple & useful to contribute to human society at large.

This is also an interlude to a new feature we are planning to launch, and that is an embedded form on each property page that encourages your visitors to send you a direct information request. This will make sure your lead generation improves, while keeping spam emails out.