QR Codes

Steffen Schilke steffen.schilke at GMAIL.COM
Tue Apr 17 05:15:10 EDT 2012 

Quickmark is free on Android (at least I did not pay for it)

And if I call your URL I get:

The site's security certificate is not trusted!
You attempted to reach *lbpcbook.ust.hk*, but the server presented a
certificate issued by an entity that is not trusted by your computer's
operating system. This may mean that the server has generated its own
security credentials, which Google Chrome cannot rely on for identity
information, or an attacker may be trying to intercept your communications.
You should not proceed, *especially* if you have never seen this warning
before for this site.

On Tue, Apr 17, 2012 at 11:08 AM, SPODICK Edward F <lbspodic at ust.hk> wrote:

> Steffen Schilke wrote:
> > Maybe using a good (and free) QR Code Reader app will help (and
> > recommending them) - my hit list:
> >
> > Quickmark
>
> Since there are so many free apps, I do not plan to recommend any which
> cost money.  Quickmark on iPhone is currently US$0.99.
>
> > i-nigma
>
> Works, but I do not like that it needs to route through the i-nigma
> servers.
>
>
> > QRCodePal (note I am on the Hong Kong Store)
>
> Could not find under that name for iPhone.  Found "QR Pal".  It saved the
> recorded scan, but did not route me to the actual website.
>
> > ZXing (Google Barcode)
>
> Could not find on iPhone (note I am on the Hong Kong Store)
>
>
> > MicrosoftTag (also reads QR Code)
>
> Correctly identifies the content, but will not route me to it, as that
> server has a self-signed certificate.  "This mobile device does not
> support the type of content found in this tag.  The certificate for this
> server is invalid." For the URL
> <https://lbpcbook.ust.hk/m/reserve/room?area=8&room=LC-15>.  No ability to
> override is provided.
> ** Note that the same message is provided for certificates from our
> institutional root certificate authority, making this app useless for our
> purposes. E.g. our book recommendation form at
> <https://library.ust.hk/cgi-auth/req-book.pl>
>
> > All these are available on the major platforms (i.e., Android and iPhony)
> Perhaps some have been renamed, or perhaps some are only available on the
> U.S. App Store, which may be fine for your anticipated user population.
>
>
> My favorites currently on IOS are Redlaser and NeoReader.
>
> -Spode
>
> > 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
> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> ============================
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> To unsubscribe: <http://bit.ly/web4lib>http://bit.ly/web4lib
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> Web4Lib Web Site: <http://web4lib.org/>http://web4lib.org/
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> 2012-04-14
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >
> >> >> >============================
> >> >> >
> >> >> >To unsubscribe: <http://bit.ly/web4lib>http://bit.ly/web4lib
> >> >> >
> >> >> >Web4Lib Web Site: <http://web4lib.org/>http://web4lib.org/
> >> >> >
> >> >> >2012-04-15
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> >============================
> >> >> >
> >> >> >To unsubscribe: http://bit.ly/web4lib
> >> >> >
> >> >> >Web4Lib Web Site: http://web4lib.org/
> >> >> >
> >> >> >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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2012-04-17
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