The EyeWriter project is an ongoing collaborative research effort to empower people, who are suffering from ALS, with creative technologies. More information at eyewriter.org.

The Eyewriter from Evan Roth on Vimeo.

CAPTCHAS invoke a number of reactions amongst both designers and users. They are a common source of frustration, consuming screen real estate and more importantly the user’s time spent deciphering and completing them. Studies have shown that they are generally bad for business.

However they are still widely used as they are considered a necessary evil in protecting websites against bots by generating tests that humans can pass but current computer programs cannot.

As you may have heard Google recently purchased ReCAPTCHA to accelerate its massive efforts to scan tens of millions of books and periodicals.

What you may not know is just how Google is utilising this technology to actually use the (re)CATPCHAS you’re filling out. By completing a reCAPTCHA you are directly helping Google in their quest to digitise the world’s books.

Here is a surprisingly interesting presentation on what is a generally dull topic: Why Nerds Rule: Luis Von Ahn and reCAPTCHA

UPDATE: CAPTCHA’s: Tough on Sales & Common Way to Test User Tolerance | UX Booth

I’ll admit it, I’ve become a real WordPress convert. I particularly love the ease with which you can install plugins, not to mention the great value some of them offer. My latest find is WPtouch which basically repackages your WordPress blog for optimised viewing on iPhone, iPod & Android.

From the smart boffins who put it together – “More than just a plugin, WPtouch is an entire theme package for your WordPress website. Modeled after Apple’s app store design specs, WPtouch makes your WordPress website load lightning fast on touch mobile devices, show your content beautifully, all while not interfering with your regular theme.”

I particularly like the way it still allows your visitors to switch between optimised and large screen formats.

Installation may be a snap but customising it will see the time fly out the window. A lot of plugins offer a some level of customisation, however WPtouch has a full-featured and beautifully laid out set of options that allow you to tweak every last detail. I haven’t started with the options yet but I’m sure I won’t stop until I’m satisfied.

UPDATE: Apparently Stephen Fry loves WPtouch so much he had had it “inserted“.

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