the CAPTCHA challenge in Ubuntu Software Center is much too difficult to solve for a real human being

[Csipak Attila]

software-center 5.2.4, Ubuntu 12.04
software-center 13.10, Ubuntu 14.04

1. Switch to a guest session.
2. Launch USC.
3. Choose "Turn On Recommendations".

This really may be two bugs, but the latter one is a lot more irritating:

1. For some reason Software Center keeps asking me to create a Software Center account on startup and also whenever I try to turn on recommendations. This should be OK, except that I created an account months ago. What happened to it?

2. Well whatever, then I shall register again. Unless there's a CAPTCHA challange which I can't solve. 0/40 success rate (est.). Guys, please. I'm a human being. 0/40 means that this CAPTCHA is nearly unsolvable. If I'm wrong, then go on, prove me wrong.
https://launchpadlibrarian.net/214060168/usc-captcha.png

Also it looks like I'm not alone with my opinion:
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/kubuntu-users/2012-May/056197.html
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/software-center/+bug/990963/comments/6

[Ernst Jedermann (ernst-jedermann)]

Hi,

I am usually not to bad with captchas but the registration with the software center was way beyond everything I would consider to be reasonable. I guess it took me over 15 attempts to get a single hit with the captchas.

cheers,
Ernst

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

[Scott Deerwester (scott-deerwester)]

I can confirm this as well. I have NEVER had to work this hard to create an account, and eventually just gave up.

[Rick Ames (mpurnyn)]

Bug posted on 2012-08-06....

Running into this problem today. How has this not been addressed or solved?

[Csipak Attila (corphicks)]

Rick: the bug's current heat is 22 (now that I marked another bug as a duplicate to this one). Right now, ordered by heat descending, this places the bug on a 100+th place in this project.

This roughly translates to: "Users don't really care about this issue, or at least not so much as to file bug reports or searching for existing ones and marking them as affects me and subscribing to bug mail. Well, relatively. "

(To learn more about bug heat, click the heat value just below the title of the bug on the right.)

[Aarre (aarre)]

Just a note that I am also affected by this bug and to provide a little additional information.

1. A comment on the duplicate bug report (Bug #1349123) suggests that not putting a space between the two "words" is a workaround for this problem. However, the workaround did not work for me.

2. Although not reflected in Launchpad, there are numerous reports of this bug in online forums as you may see by Googling "ubuntu one captcha." This bug is likely to affect early first-time users of Ubuntu (installing software via the "Ubuntu Software Center" rather than via Synaptic or apt-get). Such users are unlikely to even know to look for a bug report in Launchpad, let alone be able to file one. Moreover, there is a Catch-22, because voting for (confirming) a bug in Launchpad requires login, and Launchpad login defaults to Ubuntu One login, and creating an Ubuntu One login is the very problem at issue....

3. In addition to not knowing where to look for bug reports or how to confirm them - even assuming that such users could figure out a way to work around the Catch 22 problem - such users are especially vulnerable to a "tried Ubuntu, didn't like it" kind of response to encountering this big. The Windows and Mac OS X app store recommendation engines "just work." The Ubuntu app store recommendation engine does not. That could be a real turn-off for someone exploring whether Ubuntu is a viable alternative to a familiar closed operating system.

4. In light of #1 - #3 (the only workaround suggested on Launchpad does not work, users who encounter this bug are unlikely to have the knowledge to file bug reports and cannot do so even if they are so inclined because of the Catch-22, and such users are likely to abandon Ubuntu rather than try to solve the problem), I would suggest that the low "bug heat" on this particular issue is not an accurate gauge of its importance.

[Csipak Attila (corphicks)]

Aarre: thanks for your comment.

I did some googling and marked 3 other bugs as duplicates of this one (+6 heat / duplicate).

Also, you can further increase heat by subscribing to bug mail (+2 heat / subscriber). Currently, 10 users are marked as affected, but only 2 are subscribet to bug mail - if the remaining 8 people subscribes, that's +16 heat in itself.

[Anthony Martin (anthony-j-martin142)]

A work around for this bug (although its insane that this should even be needed) is to make an account at https://login.ubuntu.com/ as the main site don't require a captcha. Both my wife and I could not get this captcha to work and we tried about 15 times each which is insane for a captcha.

[Csipak Attila (corphicks)]

Martin: this seems to work, but there's another small gotcha: you need the ubuntu-sso-client-qt installed:

https://askubuntu.com/questions/358491/unable-to-turn-on-recommendations-in-ubuntu-software-center#440705

(I didn't yet have it for some reason.)

[Tom Peterson (peterson-tom)]

Aarre is completely correct. Fanatically clinging to bug heat as a measure of the importance of solving this issue demonstrates a short-sighted administrative rigidity that cannot fail to scare away new users.

Aarre was also correct to describe this situation as a "Catch-22". Anyone who has read Heller's classic novel will immediately recognize the paradigm:

   1) I can't create an Ubuntu Single Sign-on account because the captchas are impossible to get right in a reasonable number of efforts.
   2) Because I can't create an Ubuntu Single Sign-on account, I can't complain about this in forums accessible only with an Ubuntu Single Sign-on account, nor can I create a bug report. Why would anyone expect new users to be savvy or invested enough to formally create a bug report anyway?
   3) Because the bug itself prevents the natural accumulation of "bug heat" that would cause it to be resolved and because administrators insist on slavish adherence to a prioritization mechanism that is clearly inapplicable in this context, this issue has remained unaddressed for more than 3 years, frustrating and turning away potential Linux converts by the dozens.

And when the problems with this approach are clearly articulated (thank you, aarre), the official response focuses solely on ways to increase the bug heat rather than on ways to actually solve the problem.

If I were a newcomer, eager to explore an exciting new path through open-source solutions (and this is exactly what I am), I'd have to be wondering by now whether this is the kind of forward-thinking, problem-solving community of fully engaged users that I was hoping to find. And I might give up and look elsewhere.

[Csipak Attila (corphicks)]

@Tom Peterson

"And when the problems with this approach are clearly articulated (thank you, aarre), the official response focuses solely on ways to increase the bug heat rather than on ways to actually solve the problem."

Dear Tom, what exactly makes you think that my response is "official" in any sense?

FYI, let me tell you that I'm generally from the same breed of everyday Ubuntu community member, just as you are. Except maybe that instead complaining and blaming fellow users I:
- posted the original bug report 3 years ago,
- did some cleanup of duplicate bug reports,
- gave some tips for others on bug heat, increasing the likelihood of getting this noticed by "official" maintainers.

BTW, did you ever consider subscription to bug mail?

While Aarre is completely right about the importance of this bug, I don't really see how ranting and blaming others solves anything or brings this bug closer to being noticed.

Also please note that so far, there's no official response for this bug report. (Official meaning a statement originating from the maintainers of this project.) It's just us talking and giving a hand to each other, out of sheer altruism - y'know "community".

[Csipak Attila (corphicks)]

Added ubuntu-sso-client as this may be an issue related to authentication, rather than general Software Center functionality.

[Ira (ira-d-sanchez)]

When I go through the Software Center, every once in a while I think it'd be cool to get recommendations. So, I try to log into my Ubuntu One account, and I can never read the captchas. This attempt, I've passed at least 100 options, and I can't read any of them - not one. It's infuriating that this problem has existed for almost 5 years now with no one addressing it. I understand why and whatnot, so I thought I'd contact them directly. Apparently you can't unless it's by mail, so my suggestion is to send a letter with the bug reports attached. I may do it myself, but I don't have a printer. If need be, I'll switch operating systems to something that is accessible to me or the visually impaired.

[andrewrl (andrewrickyleosaputra)]

(ups accidently file new report instead of agreeing with the first one. already delete it. sorry...)

The captcha is imposible to solve. i tried 20times and none works. turn out if you register through the website and not the software center there is no captcha

[Joe Fabio (joefabio)]

I ran into this captcha problem today. I wanted to review an app I installed from the Ubuntu Software Center, but I couldn't create an account, because I couldn't get passed the captcha. It tried to solve it many times and gave up. I finally came across this bug report and registered through here as andrewrl recommended.

[Lord Sinclair (ralph-isler)]

So, anyone at Canonical to solve this ridiculous issue??!! How do you wanna build a user community of any importance for your otherwise fine system if you cannot get such basic things done? What a pity....

[M3R10T (m3r10t-tte)]

I've got the same problem. The CAPTCHA is completely unreadable. So I used the old way to register by using FF browser. That's a pity that after all these reports and comments no one has fixed it yet.

Impossible CAPTCHA bug problem encountered on Linux Ubuntu 14.04 LTS

[Amy (amy-gard)]

Wow, three years later and it STILL isn't fixed? I just DL Unbuntu, hearing it was the best, and I can't log in either. There is no captcha for me to type in and it keeps telling me there was an error with my captcha....My first experience with Unbuntu and I am not impressed....yet

[Daniel Manrique (roadmr)]

Hello,

I apologize for the trouble everybody's been having with this behavior. An interesting observation is that some people have no trouble deciphering the captcha, while others (as seen in this thread and as has happened to me too) can't say for certain what the words are.

Whether the existing captcha is easy or difficult to solve for humans is subjective, but it's clear that people are having trouble with it and this gets in the way of Software Centre being accessible and useful to users. We are aware of this issue and are looking at possible ways of making verification with the embedded UI easier for humans while at the same time ensuring the Software Centre service is protected from abuse.

In the meanwhile, I can suggest the workaround mentioned by Anthony Martin in comment #9:

- Go to https://login.ubuntu.com/
- Create your account there, no captcha is needed.
- in Ubuntu Software Centre, when asked to log in (for instance, when trying to review software or enable recommendations), click on "Log-in with my existing account" (it's near the top, in orange).
- Use the login data from your just-created account to get access.

I realize this is less than ideal but it should enable you to enjoy all the other great features of Ubuntu Software Centre while we find a better solution.

[wayward4now (wayward4now)]

You all can't either edit the captcha properties to make it easier to use or just replace the idiot thing??

[osama_mrdoud (osama2013m)]

Until now I could not sign-up because of this BUG !!!

[Pbif (1sttarget001)]

I had to use a work around. Can this bug be fixed?

[Pinecone (william-simpson)]

I have never spent longer trying to solve a captch, and eventually used the work around. I'm starting to worry that maybe I'm not actually a human.

[Péter Sebestyén (sebestyenpeter90)]

I can't read the captha when trying to create an ubuntu one account. How could I solve it?

[Martin Cassell (dlacross5)]

I was just about to try reading the captcha from another room using binoculars when i googled the
problem and found the login page workaround. I also wasn't sure if I should include the "space" or
if the text {what I could read) was case sensitive or not. It is reassuring to know it wasn't just me and
that the problem is being addressed.

[Reya (imreyasharma)]

Yes the captcha is too tricky, I couldn't get through it while setting up my Ubuntu in > 15 attempts

[Kurt M. Sanger (ksanger)]

I downloaded xsane and tried to write a review. The product was excellent and I wish I converted to it sooner rather than using HP's software on my old WinXP box. But I can't register to write the review as I can not solve the Captcha puzzle. Just can't make out all those letters. I assume the ubuntu boys don't want my review.

[Denis Revin (dut)]

I have same bug. Tried >20 attempts, but unfortunately

[stephen (sphorner)]

Spent ages trying to get through the captcha. What a horrible horrible bug this is. I thought Ubuntu LTS didn't have bullshit like this.

[Wendy Meyer (fussldrach)]

The two captchas are eerily difficult to read (m or rn, l or t and so on), I'm not sure if I should put a space between them or not since neither would work. I know that software to read these is getting smarter and smarter... currently I feel outsmarted by them.

[R. Phillip Castagna (wordsofhoenir)]

Just wanted to +1 this issue after trying a couple dozen times to figure out various combinations and starting to wonder if I was messing up the spacing or capitalization or something. The online login form is a great workaround, however. That said, if the online form doesn't need a captcha, why does the software center? Shouldn't there be a parallel technology to match like the CORS token or something?

[JJS (jjs-0)]

Itś the most unreadable and most worse not working captcha i've ever seen.

[Aswin (aswink30)]

Wasted time in trying to enter the captcha. The Worst Ever.

[BigTallVandy (bigtallvandy)]

Like others who have commented and voiced their complaint, the Captcha is an issue that quite simply should be resolved. The Captcha need not be so overly difficult. Yes, it should be designed to thwart 'robots', but should not be so difficult so as to discourage new users from enjoying the Ubuntu Software Centre.

One of the first tasks that a user will perform after freshly installing Ubuntu 14.04 LTS is to install additional software packages that are not part of the default. Once said user is in Software Centre, turning on 'recommendations' is practically front and center. Enabling software recommendations, requires an Ubuntu One account, why make the process difficult or force users to resort to researching the problem or employ workarounds.

Hopefully more users will:
- register at https://login.ubuntu.com and activate their account after receiving the registration e-mail
- then head over to https://launchpad.net and login with their newly created Ubuntu One account
- browse bug reports on the LaunchPad page (or search) for bug report # 1033598 (this page/thread)
- click the link near the top "Does this bug affect you too?" to increment the bug heat count.
- optionally post a comment to this same thread venting your frustration at this onerous process

The lay user would not even bother with reporting this bug. It's shameful that the Captcha difficulty still exists! I truly hope others will report the bug so it gets solved and many future users can avoid this issue entirely.

[Jorge E. del Valle (delvaj)]

Today 11/25/2015 after 3+ years finally I can log in thanks to an internet search which directs me to Ubuntu one site to get an account password reset. Redirect better to the Ubuntu one site instead. Those capcha are undoable for a human being!

[Poebat (lobstermanlobby)]

Thanks to Anthony Martin (anthony-j-martin142), I was able to create a account! The captcha is not possible.

[Powerman Five (acvadag)]

I think that code in fact finds who is the robot not the human. Can't make the account because the letters are to much distorted and can be any other letter or number so lost time.

[Paul Ngigwa (paul033-thegreat)]

I think this signup trick is made so that people can't login or create any account because it is real confusing. You are given a try and nothing you can achieve as it says the captcha doesnt match. I think initiative should be taken so that everything can be alright. This is a serious issue because everyone is complaining about it.

[Thomas Leavitt (u-tho4as-f)]

This says so much about both Canonical and the open source development community... a piece of software that is front and center to the (new, especially) user experience has a flaw which prevents a very visible piece of functionality from being accessible, and it is left unfixed and unaddressed for three years. I've indicated the bug affected me, subscribed, etc. Does no one with any influence actually look at these things?

[Bert (zephyrlandroot)]

Couldn't register for Ubuntu One from the software centre. This bug is quite important. How do you expect Ubuntu to be taken seriously by users with something like this?

[Anthony Martin (anthony-j-martin142)]

I have a feeling the way they expect to be taken seriously by users is by removing software center in 16.04 like they announced. Also I find it depressing that every time somebody tries to insult Ubuntu for this bug they give no helpful advice or any incentive to actually fix this. Ubuntu is a community driven project so please stop wasting energy on being nasty about this issue and instead use that energy to help resolve the issue by either contributing ideas for a fix or actually fix the bug.

[wayward4now (wayward4now)]

OK, Mister Linux System Administrator, how would you suggest someone fix this bug without site editing access/permission?? No one can, except the actual site admin, who appears to have ignored this issue for years. Whoever this person is deserves all of the insults, tomatoes and jeers tossed their way for being either highly incompetent or solidly pig-headed. I've seen captchas on other sites that were not so difficult to use, so it is not a matter of "fixing" the code, it's a matter of using a better widely available captcha plugin tool that already exists. From my POV ... there is nothing users can do about it except complain.

[Kerry (kklaroc)]

I am a first-time Linux user of any distro. I chose Ubuntu for my laptop because I had read that it is the best distro for laptops in its interface. Had I not been a person who is loathe to use Microsoft and one who cannot afford Mac, I probably would be looking to go elsewhere after encountering this very severe problem with the CAPTCHA. Truthfully, I am downright mad that after 3 years this issue is basically being ignored. Here you have a community that prides itself on forward-thinking and out-side-the-box alternatives to modern computing, yet it maintains a Neanderthal approach to solving established problems within its system. Way to welcome new Ubuntu users. In all seriousness, I may be choosing to switch to LinuxMint after this experience. Yes, Ubuntu Community, this issue is serious enough that even after having installed the distro, set-up an account, and found a way to get past the CAPTCHA bug, I -- and likely many others -- am considering dumping this distro for another. Take that to mean you have a lot of work to do if you want to be welcoming of new users. So far, you are failing miserably. In truth, I expect little to be done, as it seems that this community is more about the status quo than continued evolving improvement. If that weren't the case, this would not still be a bug after 3 years.

[Patrick Benson (patrimk)]

Encountered this bug today. Used the web site workaround to create my Ubuntu One account.

I've been using Linux for many years, but this is my first Ubuntu system (although I have used derivatives for many years now). Seeing that this bug has existed for over 3 years for a feature that should be ranked as critical to the new and existing user experience I'm now wondering if I have made the wrong choice in picking Ubuntu.

Bug heat being too low to warrant fixing the issue is an excuse in this particular case, since the bug itself prohibits people from generating bug heat.

Fix this bug please. Thanks!

[Nicholas (nicd-01)]

Had to register via web form rather than software due to captcha issue.

[Erki Eensalu (liame-q)]

Registered via web after about dozen attempts.

[Nick Stoneman (nicstoneman)]

I've wasted hours because of this bug. PLEASE FIX IT! Thank you.

[Richard Smith (brewsmithy)]

Seriously. . . I have already registered with Ubuntu One . . . the captcha challenge is horrible. I tried and tried over and over, but it is just unreasonable. There are a wide variety of options better then this one, please do something to change this!!

[Martin Albisetti (beuno)]

Hi, this code is being dropped in 16.04 and will no longer be an issue.
As for previous versions of Ubuntu we don't yet have a plan on how to improve it given a complex chain of dependencies.

[Ivana (ivana-radic1995)]

problems with captcha

[Alan (alan-r-cam)]

Brand new Dell laptop, running 14.04 LTS
Logging in had me stumped - this fault report (and interim solution) listed on Stackexchange - Ask Ubuntu section.

[Eugen (mihalicka-eugen)]

aster 20 attempts I gave up and found and advice - go trough website where is no captcha. However I was not able to use complex password to create an account ... it was labelling me as bot.

[Jonathan Gossage (jgossage)]

I checked at least 200 captcha entries without finding one readable one. I also fortunately found the workaround to go to login.ubuntu.com to create/update my account. This whole fiasco suggests that the concept of "heat" in Launchpad bugs needs to be reevaluated. Bugs need to be easy to enter and a system for evaluating the severity of a bug independent of voting which is essentially what "heat" is is also needed. In addition, it would be helpful if maintainers were clearly identified in comments.

[Andrea Paolo (ferraresig)]

I confirm I have this problem

[Peter Hric (hric-peter)]

I sing under this problem too. Just can't get thru the over-secured captcha test.
Come on ! Its Sept 2016 and this problem still exists ?
It can't be that hard to fix :)
Please fix it !