A CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) is a program that can determine whether the user is a human or a computer. How it works? It is thought that computers are unable to solve the CAPTCHA. So, any user entering a correct solution is presumed to be human. CAPTCHA is trademarked by Carnegie Mellon University and widely used in different websites to prevent bots and automated programs. I am sure that you have used many of them!

So, if you want to add a CAPTCHA function to your WordPress blog, you will need a plugin. Below, I have listed a few good CAPTCHA plugins for WordPress. Browse through the different plugins and choose the right one for yourself!

CAPTCHA Plugins for WordPress:

• reCAPTCHA: The reCAPTCHA WordPress plugin uses a CAPTCHA to prevent comment spams. You need a public and private API key. to use this plugin, which you can get from the ReCAPTCHA site.

• Simple CAPTCHA: A CAPTCHA for your comment system to prevent unwanted spams. Prevent automated spams by bots and most important naughty peoples. It’s simple and yet secure.

• CAPTCHA-Godfather: This plugin protects you from comment spams by 4 ways; CAPTCHA code, Session ID (which is different from PHPSESSID), Timestamp, IP Address. Also allows the webmaster to choose between fonts.

• yaCAPTCHA: yaCAPTCHA is a CAPTCHA plugin for WordPress that adds an image in the comment form of your WordPress application. In order to post comments, users will have to write down the characters that are part of the image. This can help prevent spam from automated bots.

• Cryptographp: This plugin allows you to add a captcha before anyone could post a comment. The captcha can be easily configured in the options of the WordPress admin section.

• Raz-Captcha: Prevent the registration spams and bots login by adding custom captcha tests in the registration page and/or login page. It has 5 different and customizable captcha algorithms with possibility to set your own random characters font, styles, colors background and more

Back in February, I gave away 1000 Entrecard Credits (EC) to fellow bloggers. It was a giveaway in true sense, as everyone got something! Thanks to all participants. Now, get ready for my new giveaway! This time, I am giving away more than 3000 EC and ad spots on my sidebar. All participants will get 100EC plus my recommendation on EntreCard. There will be three lucky winners, that I will chose through a random draw. So, you can call it a contest also!

What are the prizes?

• One lucky winner will get 3000 EC.
• Two lucky winners will get free advertising spots (125×125 button ad) on my sidebar for one month.
• All participant will get 100 EC and my recommendation on EntreCard.

What you have to do?

• Just Subscribe to EarnBlogger by Email. (One entry)
• Write a blog post about my contest. (Five entries)

Rules:

• Subscription via email is must, in order to qualify.
• Writing a blog post is optional. Well, you will get 5 entries for the lucky draw!
• You must comment on this post, with the same email ID that you used to subscribe to my RSS feed.
• If you are already a subscriber, inform me with a comment.
• I will choose the winners on May 1, 2008, with the help of Random.org.
• First lucky winner will get 3000 EC and next two lucky winners will get ad spots.
• Transfer of all credits will be made before May 2, 2008.
• Ad spot winners must provide their own button ads (125×125) within 7 days. I will host them on my server.

So, are you ready? Subscribe to EarnBlogger by Email and get 100 EntreCard credits! Feel free to contact me if you have any kind of questions regarding this contest. Happy Blogging.

Note: This is not a prank for April Fool’s Day.

On Monday, Yahoo launched a niche site aimed at women. It is called Yahoo Shine, that will feature a mixture of original blog contents and contents from other partners including Glamour, Style.com, Good Housekeeping and Time. According to Yahoo, Shine won’t be a site just for moms or just for single women or working women. Shine will distinguish itself by having more of an editorial voice than the other sites and by interacting more with readers.

When we started talking about creating a new website for women, we wanted to avoid all of the common categories that advertisers or marketers tend to put us in. We didn’t want to be a site just for moms or just for single women or working women, or any specific demo- or psychographic. We wanted to create a smart, dynamic place for women to gather, get info and to connect with each other and the world around them. The important thing wasn’t how to talk to a 32.5 year-old with 2.2 kids but how to inspire you laugh, think, get mad, empathize, and be surprised and entertained. With Shine, we want to address the commonalities that make us such an amazing group.

The good thing is that with Shine, you will be able to start your own blog, comment on articles, vote in daily polls and join in discussions. On Shine, you won’t find advice on how to please your man and diets that urge you to “lose 10 pounds fast!” Rather, you will find on Shine: Why buying an expensive “It Bag” is a waste of money; how to make a meal in 30 minutes; how to make a face mask out of last night’s 30-minute meal, how to de-stress at your desk; sharp, opinionated takes on the news; and many more interesting articles, polls, discussions etc, on incomes, career, families and happiness.

Shine looks very clean with clutter free design. Shine has the following distinct categories: Astrology, At Home, Entertainment, Fashion & Beauty, Food, Healthy Living, Love & Sex, Parenting, Speak Up and Work & Money. I am sure that it is going to be a big hit among the ladies. You can visit Shine here: http://shine.yahoo.com.