[ExI] Captchas

[Damien Broderick]

On 8/13/2011 8:51 AM, john clark wrote:
>
> OK, so the meanings of the two words are VERY different but not VERY
> important; nevertheless I am a little surprised that despite this large
> difference nobody, including you, is able to come right out and say
> exactly (or even approximately) what that NOT very important difference is.

Well, let's see. As a guy pointed out here not long ago:

an "effect" is a change that is the result of an action

effect means something brought about by a cause.

[Example: an insight brought about in your mind by reading this post]

while

"affect" means to have an influence on or cause a change in

"affect" means have a *effect* on or make a difference to.

[Example: the process by which my reposting these definitions affects 
your mind so that you experience that insight]

If that is still too hard to follow, try this:

You can affect me by punching me in the snout (or by SHOUTING BULLSHIT! 
on my screen).

The effect is to make my nose bleed (or to make me consider once again 
typing *plonk*).

Damien Broderick