QR Codes
Steffen Schilke
steffen.schilke at GMAIL.COM
Tue Apr 17 02:46:55 EDT 2012
Maybe using a good (and free) QR Code Reader app will help (and
recommending them) - my hit list:
Quickmark
i-nigma
QRCodePal
ZXing (Google Barcode)
MicrosoftTag (also reads QR Code)
All these are available on the major platforms (i.e., Android and iPhony)
On Tue, Apr 17, 2012 at 8:39 AM, Edward Spodick <lbspodic at ust.hk> wrote:
> 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!
> >> >>> ============================
> >> >>>
> >> >>> To unsubscribe: <http://bit.ly/web4lib>http://bit.ly/web4lib
> >> > >>
> >> >>> Web4Lib Web Site: <http://web4lib.org/>http://web4lib.org/
> >> >>>
> >> >>> 2012-04-13
> >> >>>
> >> >>>
> >> >>
> >> >> ============================
> >> >>
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> >> >>
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> >> >>
> >> >> 2012-04-14
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> >============================
> >> >
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> >> >
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> >> >
> >> >2012-04-15
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >============================
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> >> >
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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
> >>
> >> ============================
> >>
> >> To unsubscribe: http://bit.ly/web4lib
> >>
> >> Web4Lib Web Site: http://web4lib.org/
> >>
> >> 2012-04-15
> >>
> >>
> >
> >Regards,
> >....Bob Rasmussen, President, Rasmussen Software, Inc.
> >
> >personal e-mail: ras at anzio.com
> > company e-mail: rsi at anzio.com
> > voice: (US) 503-624-0360 (9:00-6:00 Pacific Time)
> > fax: (US) 503-624-0760
> > web: http://www.anzio.com
> > street address: Rasmussen Software, Inc.
> > 10240 SW Nimbus, Suite L9
> > Portland, OR 97223 USA
> >
> >============================
> >
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> >
> >2012-04-16
>
> ============================
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> 2012-04-17
>
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