OK, the forum search was screwed enough before this image verification rubbish was implemented, not it's just ridiculous.
It's got to the point where I will put it on record that I will never again, while this useless verification is in place, berate anyone for not searching the forums first!
Ironically, this useless check will do no more than increase the number of new threads asking repeat questions much more than the few spam threads that it aims to reduce.
/rant