Question 1

How to install captchagen with node-canvas on Ubuntu?

Accepted Answer

First, install cairo dependencies using apt-get (e.g., sudo apt-get install libcairo2-dev), then npm install captchagen. Check the node-canvas wiki for specific setup steps to avoid compilation errors.

Question 2

Does captchagen work with Express.js?

Accepted Answer

Yes, captchagen integrates easily with Express by generating CAPTCHA images in routes and outputting them as data URIs or buffers for use in forms or API responses, commonly to protect endpoints from bots.

Question 3

Captchagen vs Google reCAPTCHA: which is better?

Accepted Answer

Captchagen is self-hosted and offers full control over CAPTCHA generation with no external dependencies, but requires setup and maintenance. Google reCAPTCHA is managed, more secure against bots, but depends on external services and raises privacy concerns.

Question 4

How to add custom background to captchagen?

Accepted Answer

Create a middleware function that modifies the canvas context, then use captcha.use() to add it to the stack. Refer to the default middlewares in the lib folder for examples on drawing backgrounds or lines.

Question 5

Is captchagen still maintained in 2023?

Accepted Answer

The README shows Node version >= 0.6 and last update appears old; check GitHub for recent commits or issues. It seems less active, so consider forking or using alternatives if ongoing support is critical.

Question 6

Can captchagen generate audio CAPTCHAs?

Accepted Answer

No, captchagen is designed only for visual text-based CAPTCHA images. For audio alternatives, you would need to integrate a different library or service focused on accessibility.

captchagen

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