QR Codes

Tue Apr 17 02:39:30 EDT 2012

At 5:22 AM -0700 4/16/12, Bob Rasmussen wrote:
>This (tagging meeting rooms) is a clever application. Are the problems in
>how the reader programs are parsing the URLs, or is it that they don't
>prompt for a password?

The problem is in the parsing.  I expect the problem to become less over time.  One of the Apps on my IOS device had an update during testing, and changed from failing to succeeding in handling the https links.

The viewed behavior of failing Apps is the presentation of a blank white screen.  There is no concurrent hit in the Web server logs.  And none of the which failed on IOS gave an error message.

>Could you sidestep the problem by having an unsecured URL that told when
>the room would be available, but not who was using it?

We could, but it is not currently considered worth the extra programming effort.  Before doing such, we will evaluate over time how the QR codes get used, and what users say they need. :)

-Spode

>On Mon, 16 Apr 2012, Edward Spodick wrote:
>
>> One of the ways we use them is by adding QR Codes to the door signs for all of our bookable study rooms.  Each QR Code links the user directly to that day's bookings for that room, in the Mobile interface version of the room booking system.  So the user can immediately check when the people currently in the rom will be done and if it is free later in the day, etc.
>>
>> One notable problem encountered is that we require authentication to check these bookings, as we display the users' names.  So every link is to a secure URL (https).  Roughly 1/2 of all the QR Code reader programs I have tested are unable to properly parse https links, so they fail - often with no error message.  This increases frustration and is an important element for staff training for when users complain.
>>
>> When it works, the user is thrilled.  We started out doing this on 5 high-profile rooms, and have extended it to all the others.  We started this in March, and got 17 likes and a share or 2 on our FB post about it :)
>>
>> -Spode
>>
>>
>> At 8:21 AM -0500 4/15/12, Max Anderson wrote:
>> >Hi, all,
>> >
>> >I've followed this conversation with fascination.  I too, am interested in QR Codes and I teach others how to use them - (and have learned a lot more by reading the posts by Luke, Steffen and others).
>> >
>> >I see QR Codes all over Chicago.  They are on buses.  They are on movie posters.  They are on every poster.  What I don't see: people actually using them.  Another colleague in the library world, Aaron Schmidt has valid arguments in regard to the failing of the technology in libraries:
>> ><http://www.walkingpaper.org/4392>http://www.walkingpaper.org/4392
>> >This is his other missive: <http://implementingqrcodesinlibraries.org/>http://implementingqrcodesinlibraries.org/
>> >
>> >I have heard from a friend who works in a health sciences library, that they use them to allow students to book study rooms.  She said there was an extremely low use of them 5% but was pleased to see them used at all.
>> >
>> >What I tend to see missing from where QR Codes are placed: instructions on how to actually use them.  I know for my iPhone, I have to install an app to be able to read QR Codes.  I believe (I may be mistaken) that this is the same for Windows phones and Android phones.  If the idea of QR Codes could be embedded into the function of the cameras on most smartphones, I think use would skyrocket (up).
>> >
>> >With RedLaser, you can now (with the new release) take a photo of the QR Code and read it that way if you want. What I see people doing, is taking a photo of the QR code with their phone and no software to read it, and become disappointed because nothing happened.
>> >
>> >This man wants them to 'die' altogether: <http://gigaom.com/2012/02/09/this-man-wants-to-kill-qr-codes-can-he-do-it/>http://gigaom.com/2012/02/09/this-man-wants-to-kill-qr-codes-can-he-do-it/
>> >
>> >I am not ready to discount them 100% - I think a little education (which is what we are good at as librarians) and advocacy to help people see the good about them...and then let the chips fall where they may.
> > >
>> >Comments welcome.
>> >
>> >Max
>> >
>> >"Dewey, you fool! Your decimal system has played right into our hands!"
> > >         --Large floating brain (without hands), Futurama, "The Day the Earth Stood Stupid"
>> >
>> >On Sun, Apr 15, 2012 at 00:32, M. E. Petrich <<mailto:mellen at make-do.org>mellen at make-do.org> wrote:
>> >
>> >Hi Liz,
>> >
>> >Have you figured out what the specific problems are with the QR codes?
>> >For example are these QR code providers also applying another
>> >url-shortening or redirecting url? Is it those urls which are expiring?
>> >
>> >Since you are already using <http://bit.ly>bit.ly for url shortening, have you considered
>> >also using them for QR codes?
>> >
>> >If you don't get answers here, you might find out what institutions of
>> >similar size and resources are using QR codes and contact them directly.
>> >
>> >Mary Ellen
>> >
>> >
>> >> Hello,
>> >>
>> >> first of all let me introduce myself: I am a QR Code Evangelist and I
>> >> twitter as @QRCodeART (<http://twitter.com/qrcodeart>http://twitter.com/qrcodeart ) - One of my
>> > > creations
>> >> is one of the biggest working / scanable QR Codes in the World
>> >> (@EXPLORAmuseum, <http://twitter.com/#!/exploramuseum>http://twitter.com/#!/exploramuseum , Frankfurt, Germany
>> >> -
>> >> <http://explora.info/images/qrclaraIMG_5995_m.jpg>http://explora.info/images/qrclaraIMG_5995_m.jpg 5x5 Meter,
>> >> <http://www.explora.info>http://www.explora.info ) and a city wide QR Code scavenger hunt in
>> >> Frankfurt. In the museum we do a lot with QR Code.
>> >>
>> >> What do you mean by the QR Codes "die"?!? Does it no longer scan or does
>> >> the link encoded no longer works (or the provider does not redirect
>> >> anymore)?
>> >>
>> >> Some "valuable" tips:
>> >>
>> >> Use the highest error correction --> keep control on how you create your
>> >> QR
>> >> Codes - use Zint <http://sourceforge.net/projects/zint/>http://sourceforge.net/projects/zint/ or Google Chart API
>> >> or <http://www.terryburton.co.uk/barcodewriter/generator/>http://www.terryburton.co.uk/barcodewriter/generator/ or ZXing
>> >> <http://code.google.com/p/zxing/>http://code.google.com/p/zxing/ all this is for free! For scaling use a
>> >> vector format like eps or svg (or how do you think I got a 5x5 Meter big
>> >> QR
>> >> Code done ;-)
>> >>
>> >> 30% Error Correction keeps you going even if the QR Code gets wrinkled or
>> >> someone adds some extra black spots. This also allows you to "brand" with
>> >> a
>> >> logo BUT test it with several QR Code reader apps (on Android and iPhone -
>> >> i-nigma, Quickmark, ZXing, QRCodePal, BeeTag, MicrosoftTag). You can also
>> >> color you QR Code if you have enough contrast (some anecdote: I wanted to
>> >> put a facebook logo in one if the cornerstones of the QR Code in Facebook
>> >> blue and nearly no QR Code reader could decode this. Checkout for slide 11
>> >> from this presentation (
>> >> <http://www.slideshare.net/QrArt/qr-code-vortrag-beim-webmontag-frankfurt>http://www.slideshare.net/QrArt/qr-code-vortrag-beim-webmontag-frankfurt )
>> >> to understand the anatomy of a QR Code and where you can put things. If
>> >> you
>> >> speak or understand German:
>> >> <http://blip.tv/web-montag-frankfurt-am-main/qr-codes-5250040>http://blip.tv/web-montag-frankfurt-am-main/qr-codes-5250040 this is a
>> >> presentation I did ;-)
>> >>
>> >> Do not use services providers! Do it by yourself - service providers are
>> >> just jumping on the band wagon and are gone if the business does not
>> >> prosper
>> >>
>> >> If you use short URLs the same applies - either do them by your self (get
>> >> a
>> >> short domain name and get your IT guy to do a redirect for you (simple
>> >> html
>> >> page or, i.e., mod_rewrite on Apache)  or get one of the free php scripts
>> >> which do a URL shortening service (for free) or use <http://goo.gl>goo.gl or <http://bit.ly>bit.ly (both
>> >> give you stats as well)
>> >>
>> >> Any other questions? Feel free to ask (I am not depending on making money
>> >> on this so I can get you frankly the truth ;-)
>> >>
>> >> Kind regards
>> >>
>> >> Steffen
>> >>
>> >> On Fri, Apr 13, 2012 at 11:52 PM, Liz Hubert <<mailto:liz_hubert at yahoo.com>liz_hubert at yahoo.com> wrote:
> > >>
>> >>> Hi all,
>> >>>
>> >>> I could use a little help. For the past year or two, I've been doing a
> > >>> lot
>> >>> of work with QR codes at my library. We've got a pretty good program
>> >>> going,
>> >>> and I'm really excited about it. We have unfortunately run into problems
>> >>> with the longevity of our codes as well as flaky creators. We first used
>> >>> Kaywa to create codes, but our codes all died about four months after we
>> >>> created them. We've been using <http://myqr.co>myqr.co since, but have been noticing
>> >>> lots
>> >>> of problems with the generator in the past month or so. We're ready to
>> >>> switch. I know lots and lots of creators since I've researched this
>> >>> extensively, but I'd like to get your feedback. Has anyone been using
>> >>> the
>> >>> same creator for a significant period of time? I don't care much about
>> >>> how
>> >>> they look, since we have a great graphic designer. I put the codes
>> >>> through
>> >>> bitly, so it doesn't need to have a tracker either. I really just need
>> >>> something that is reliable and will last a long time. Can anyone share
>> >>> their experiences? I'd be so grateful!
>> >>> ============================
>> >>>
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>> > >>
>> >>> Web4Lib Web Site: <http://web4lib.org/>http://web4lib.org/
>> >>>
>> >>> 2012-04-13
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>
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>> >> 2012-04-14
>> >>
>> >
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>> >2012-04-15
>> >
>> >
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>> >2012-04-15
>>
>>
>> --
>> Edward F Spodick, IT and Services Infrastructure Manager
>> Hong Kong University of Science & Technology Library
>> lbspodic at ust.hk  tel:852-2358-6743 fax:852-2358-1043
>>
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>> 2012-04-15
>>
>>
>
>Regards,
>....Bob Rasmussen,   President,   Rasmussen Software, Inc.
>
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>2012-04-16

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2012-04-17