@Not_to_mentionauthorSep 12.2009 — #Its for getting an account on my site. I was just wondering why I couldn't just use a CAPTCHA instead. Im making it from scratch, and I know that other sites use activation e-mails
@opifexSep 12.2009 — #the activation e-mail IS a little more coding on your part (send the e-mail, verify user when link is opened, activate account), but prevents anyone from signing up someone who doesn't exist or signing up somebody that doesn't want to be there.
Protects you and protects your users to some extent.
I use it for news bulletins AND forums to keep things as above board as possible. If you go with a captcha routine, make sure that it is readable by humans or use a "math captcha" or "picture captcha" (picture of a duck, write "duck"). The bots still can't crack those.