QR Codes
Edward Spodick
lbspodic at UST.HK
Tue Apr 17 05:30:18 EDT 2012
At 11:15 AM +0200 4/17/12, Steffen Schilke wrote:
>Quickmark is free on Android (at least I did not pay for it)
Excellent.
>And if I call your URL I get:
>
>The site's security certificate is not trusted!
>You attempted to reach <http://lbpcbook.ust.hk>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.
Exactly - that is the correct message to receive, which is different
from the Microsoft presented one. This behavior is the same as in a
regular desktop browser. Hopefully you have the option of
continuing anyway, rather than being blocked.
Once we are out of beta, it will get a certificate from the
University root certificate authority, which will probably give a
similar error message (see
<<https://library.ust.hk/cgi-auth/req-book.pl>https://library.ust.hk/cgi-auth/req-book.pl>),
unless the user has 'trusted' our root CA, which our users generally
know to do.
-Spode
>On Tue, Apr 17, 2012 at 11:08 AM, SPODICK Edward F
><<mailto:lbspodic at ust.hk>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>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>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
>><<mailto:lbspodic at ust.hk>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><http://www.walkingpaper.org/4392>http://www.walkingpaper.org/4392
>>> >> >This is his other missive:
>>>
>>><<http://implementingqrcodesinlibraries.org/>http://implementingqrcodesinlibraries.org/
>>> ><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/
>>> >
>>>
>>><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:
>>>
>>><mailto:mellen at make-do.org>mellen at make-do.org><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>http://bit.ly><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>
>>> <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>
>>>
>>><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>
>>>
>>><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><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/>
>>>
>>><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/>
>>>
>>><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/><http://code.google.com/p/zxing/all>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>
>>>
>>><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>
> >>
><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>http://goo.gl>
>>> <http://goo.gl>goo.gl or
>>><<http://bit.ly>http://bit.ly><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:
>>>
>>><mailto:liz_hubert at yahoo.com>liz_hubert at yahoo.com><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>http://myqr.co><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><http://bit.ly/web4lib>http://bit.ly/web4lib
>>> >> > >>
>>> >> >>> Web4Lib Web Site:
>>><<http://web4lib.org/>http://web4lib.org/><http://web4lib.org/>http://web4lib.org/
>>> >> >>>
>>> >> >>> 2012-04-13
>>> >> >>>
>>> >> >>>
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >> ============================
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >> To unsubscribe:
>>><<http://bit.ly/web4lib>http://bit.ly/web4lib><http://bit.ly/web4lib>http://bit.ly/web4lib
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >> Web4Lib Web Site:
>>><<http://web4lib.org/>http://web4lib.org/><http://web4lib.org/>http://web4lib.org/
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >> 2012-04-14
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >
>>> >> >============================
>>> >> >
>>> >> >To unsubscribe:
>>><<http://bit.ly/web4lib>http://bit.ly/web4lib><http://bit.ly/web4lib>http://bit.ly/web4lib
>>> >> >
>>> >> >Web4Lib Web Site:
>>><<http://web4lib.org/>http://web4lib.org/><http://web4lib.org/>http://web4lib.org/
>>> >> >
>>> >> >2012-04-15
>>> >> >
>>> >> >
>>> >> >============================
>>> >> >
>>> >> >To unsubscribe: <http://bit.ly/web4lib>http://bit.ly/web4lib
>>> >> >
>>> >> >Web4Lib Web Site: <http://web4lib.org/>http://web4lib.org/
>>> >> >
>>> >> >2012-04-15
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> --
>>> >> Edward F Spodick, IT and Services Infrastructure Manager
>>> >> Hong Kong University of Science & Technology Library
>>> >> <mailto:lbspodic at ust.hk>lbspodic at ust.hk tel:852-2358-6743
>>>fax:852-2358-1043
>>> >>
>>> >> ============================
>>> >>
>>> >> To unsubscribe: <http://bit.ly/web4lib>http://bit.ly/web4lib
> >> >>
>>> >> Web4Lib Web Site: <http://web4lib.org/>http://web4lib.org/
>>> >>
>>> >> 2012-04-15
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >
>>> >Regards,
>>> >....Bob Rasmussen, President, Rasmussen Software, Inc.
>>> >
>>> >personal e-mail: <mailto:ras at anzio.com>ras at anzio.com
>>> > company e-mail: <mailto:rsi at anzio.com>rsi at anzio.com
>>> > voice: (US) 503-624-0360 (9:00-6:00 Pacific Time)
>>> > fax: (US) <tel:503-624-0760>503-624-0760
>>> > web: <http://www.anzio.com>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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