CAPTCHA not working

Hey,

I have a form that is working fine. However - the client is having SPAM issues so I need to add the CAPTCHA picture window.

However - I can't get out of the box to get started. I turn it on and add the code and get the text input window - but no image.

From reading threads - I should be getting "yes" next to the GD parameters but am getting nothing next to the parameters listed below.
GD Version
FreeType Support
PNG Support
Sample image:

So while most threads are past this point with their problem - I don't know how to proceed. I saw a thread weeks ago that addressed this a bit - but now can't find it.

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks!

Hi cb1,

check your php info or ask your host if GD library is installed ?

Max

Hey Max,

Hate to sound like a dummy - but what version of PHP needs to be loaded to get the chronoforms captcha to work? And where do I find the GD Library? I'm a bit confused. I can't find a requirements page that might help.

I'm running Joomla 1.0.15 and Chronoforms version 2.3.8.

Hi cb1,

The GD library has been bundled with PHP since v4.3, though earlier versions work with the library too.

Check Admin | Help | System Info | PHP Information and scroll down t look for 'gd' - it's about half-way down the page on my install between ftp and gettext.

If it's not there then the library may need to be enabled in your php.ini file.

Bob

Thanks GreyHead - -

If I followed your directions correctly, I went to the Joomla Admin side to find this information:

$mosConfig_frontend_login = '1';
$mosConfig_frontend_userparams = '1';
$mosConfig_gzip = '0';
$mosConfig_helpurl = 'http://help.joomla.org';
$mosConfig_hideAuthor = '1';
$mosConfig_hideCreateDate = '1';

So it looks like it is not installed? Or am I in the correct location?

Hi cb1,

Oh . . . you are using Joomal 1.0.x that's a little different. Got to the next tab along marked ''PHP Info' and then scroll down. Here are the settings from my test site.

Bob

[attachment=1]03-12-2008 16-02-50.png[/attachment]
[attachment=0]03-12-2008 16-05-24.png[/attachment]

Gotcha Bob - Thanks. It looks as if it is not installed. (I go straight from FTP to GetText).

I'll talk my IT fella.

Thanks again.

My IT fella installed the GD Library and it is now visible in the backend PHP window.

I implement it and it seems to work on my test form. But I get a few anomalies...

1 - This is a Joomla/Chronoforms anomaly I don't understand - My form does not exist using the "default" template. It uses a template 'assigned' to it. But when the CAPTCHA verification is typed wrong and results in an error - the error message comes up and the form page refreshes to the form using the default template.

Since that template is narrower than the form itself - the web page breaks. Can an error use the assigned template instead?

2 - The form is an Employment application form that in paper format is 4 pages long. When I fill out a test application and type the image verification wrong - the whole form returns blank - which considering it takes about 25 minutes to fill out - is not good.

If there is not fix for that - applicants are sure to type in the verification wrong - call the company and complain about the form. So there is a definite benefit involved with implementing CAPTCHA to eliminate SPAM - but a definite cost when ticking off prospective qualified employees with a form that is half baked. Does that make sense?

We are converting the the site to Joomla 1.5 in 2009 - but need a stable solution until then.

3 - Other sites I have seen that have this CAPTCHA verification on them also have the ability to load a different image when you can't read the image loaded. But this one doesn't seem to have that capability - or at least I have not found it. Am I missing it or is there a reason why this GD Library does not have, or need, this feature?

If you need to see the form - I can PM a non-public test page to illustrate the above.

Thanks.

Hi cb1,

1) I'm not sure I understand the different templates. Are you using the Mambot/PlugIn to show the form in a content page? If so - and especially with a four page form I suggest that you only use the direct link to the ChronoForms page (the one you see when you click the link in the Forms Manager).

2) With 2.3.9 you need to put the values from the $_POST array in the value entries of each field. Tedious but it works perfectly well and the form will re-display with the already completed values. For input fields this is just a question of echoing the value, for select, radio and checkboxes you need a little more code to check the value and set the appropriate attribute.

3) IIRC there was a Reset code written by someone and posted in the forums here. It was probably a year ago though. See if you can find it, if not I'll have a hunt.

Bob

Hi cb1,

for #1, you will need to add the action URL manually with the form Itemid, some post has been made about this here 2 weeks ago i think, show me your form url in non SEF and I can point you! only starting from index.php

Regards
Max

Hey Max - is this what you are looking for? (form URL in non sef)

index.php?option=com_chronocontact&chronoformname=Founders_Ball_RSVP

yeah, now in the action URL field add :

index.php?option=com_chronocontact&chronoformname=Founders_Ball_RSVP&task=send&Itemid=form_itemid_here

replace form_id_here with the Itemid of this form, you can get it from the menu items page!

Regards
Max

I will work at implementing this.

I want to thank both you and Bob for helping with this thread. Responses from both of you have been great. They are vary much appreciated.

No problems!

Max...

1 - Very cool Max - that worked as advertised.

Thanks!

Bob,

Regarding my #2 Question above - you stated this: 2) With 2.3.9 you need to put the values from the $_POST array in the value entries of each field. Tedious but it works perfectly well and the form will re-display with the already completed values. For input fields this is just a question of echoing the value, for select, radio and checkboxes you need a little more code to check the value and set the appropriate attribute

My questions:

1 - I will not be able to upgrade to version 2.3.9 until the beginning of next week. Can I find these values you are talking about "$_POST" in the version I am currently working with? Which is version 2.3.8?

2 - Where do I put the $_POST values once I know where they are? Do I put them in the Original FORM code? (That would make more sense than the Email Template) OR do I put them in the "On Submit" code?

Thanks!

Hi cb1,

No problem 2.3.8 and 2.3.9 will work in the same way for this purpose.

You need to add the values in the Form HTML like this:

<input type='text' name='field_name' value='<?pho echo $_POST['field_name']; ?>' />
<textarea name='area_name' ><?pho echo $_POST['area_name']; ?></textarea>

If you have select lists, radio buttons or checkboxes come back and ask, the code for these is more complex.

Bob