# Do you read QR Codes? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 10, 2017, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907 "2017-03-10T22:16:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907/21 "2017-03-11T22:53:05Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I would just send them to the main page and tell them to click on a link There’s the alternative to QR codes. Okay, I guess you could list some specific situations where they have some benefit. I don’t really think it’s worth it, though. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907/22 "2017-03-11T23:07:30Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Another dumb question: is there a way to print them yourself, on a home inkjet with a typical Windows PC? Inkscape is free and does it with ease. Maybe it’s overkill, but it does so many other useful and cool things, it’s well worth learning and having around. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907/23 "2017-03-12T01:42:54Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > Inkscape is free and does it with ease. Maybe it’s overkill, but it does so many other useful and cool things, it’s well worth learning and having around. Mil million gracias! It looks like a fun drawing program anyway, and free is always good! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907/24 "2017-03-12T14:15:42Z")
Despite having carried a smartphone in one form or another since about 2004 I’ve never scanned one. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907/25 "2017-03-12T14:21:14Z")
No, I don’t read them. I find that the encoding is too difficult to decipher. 1-d barcodes, for instance 3of9, on the other hand, I can occasionally read, at least enough to know if it is in the right format. Oh, you mean _scan_ them. Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907/26 "2017-03-12T15:23:43Z")
I have a client who had me to make her a QR code to put on her _webpage_. I couldn’t get her to understand how pointless that was - she just thought that QR codes were neat and hip and were something she should have. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907/27 "2017-03-12T15:40:23Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > I have a client who had me to make her a QR code to put on her _webpage_. > I couldn’t get her to understand how pointless that was - she just thought that QR codes were neat and hip and were something she should have. For a while, that’s exactly what they were… hip. They are useless on a web page. They are nearly useless to transmit a URL if the domain name is short and memorable. But in print or even on active displays, to transmit longer addresses (especially really messy pointers a deep info or product page) or contact information, or any info not really searchable nor easily entered manually… they’re extremely useful. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907/28 "2017-03-12T15:56:50Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > I have a client who had me to make her a QR code to put on her _webpage_. > I couldn’t get her to understand how pointless that was - she just thought that QR codes were neat and hip and were something she should have. I suspect it depends on where that QR would go, and what it is used for. If it redirects to a site that is specifically to be used for mobile devices (for instance), I don’t really see a problem. I may actually push for this on a web site that will allow users to access a site for trails and recreational activities. The QR would take you to a mobile friendly site since they are going to be away from their desktop or laptop. My thought is that they can easily scan the code, save it in their mobile and hit the road and have trail data and maps with them when they arrive. ---
**Author:** ![AnalogSignal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/analogsignal/32/1085_2.png) [@AnalogSignal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnalogSignal)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907/29 "2017-03-12T16:03:54Z")
Here’s a cool QR code to try. Check it out! 😉 [![](https://i.imgur.com/2ValL2G.png) ](https://i.imgur.com/2ValL2G.png) ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907/30 "2017-03-12T16:10:35Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I suspect it depends on where that QR would go, and what it is used for. If it redirects to a site that is specifically to be used for mobile devices (for instance), I don’t really see a problem. > > I may actually push for this on a web site that will allow users to access a site for trails and recreational activities. The QR would take you to a mobile friendly site since they are going to be away from their desktop or laptop. My thought is that they can easily scan the code, save it in their mobile and hit the road and have trail data and maps with them when they arrive. Maybe I’m missing your point, but putting a QR code on an interactive page is somewhat less useful than putting all the headings in Urdu and linking them to Google Translate. The sole useful purpose of anything like a barcode is to make it easy for a machine (including a smartphone) to read in complex information from a static display. Using one in place of the information or a simple link to the information is the sort of e-hipster nonsense we’re making fun of here. For your use, putting codes at the lodge or trailhead so that hikers can easily dl the info would be very useful… but they need only be printed on posters or displayed on a sufficiently hi-res display. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907/31 "2017-03-12T16:35:42Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > Maybe I’m missing your point, but putting a QR code on an interactive page is somewhat less useful than putting all the headings in Urdu and linking them to Google Translate. > > The sole useful purpose of anything like a barcode is to make it easy for a machine (including a smartphone) to read in complex information from a static display. Using one in place of the information or a simple link to the information is the sort of e-hipster nonsense we’re making fun of here. > > For your use, putting codes at the lodge or trailhead so that hikers can easily dl the info would be very useful… but they need only be printed on posters or displayed on a sufficiently hi-res display. We have posters and such on heavily used rec trails. Yes you are missing my point. The QR would take you to a mobile specific site that has ALL the trails for our county. Many visitors come from other states and have no clue where to go to start with (oh, lets go hiking!), or before they arrive and after they arrive. They may hit the county’s main web page, go to Open Space and Trails page, and then get on a plane. Easily loading a link to a map and information of ALL trails for the area (difficulty, parking, how to reach the trail head, links to USGS quads, elevation info) that you are visiting should be very helpful IMHO. Again, this is a mobile specific app that they could just scan the QR and go, and it will lead them to all trail info, not just a specific one. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907/32 "2017-03-12T17:31:27Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > We have posters and such on heavily used rec trails. Yes you are missing my point. > > The QR would take you to a mobile specific site that has ALL the trails for our county. Many visitors come from other states and have no clue where to go to start with (oh, lets go hiking!), or before they arrive and after they arrive. They may hit the county’s main web page, go to Open Space and Trails page, and then get on a plane. Easily loading a link to a map and information of ALL trails for the area (difficulty, parking, how to reach the trail head, links to USGS quads, elevation info) that you are visiting should be very helpful IMHO. > > Again, this is a mobile specific app that they could just scan the QR and go, and it will lead them to all trail info, not just a specific one. Sure, on a PRINTED sign. Having a QR code on a webpage is useless - what are you going to do, point your phone at the computer screen to take you to a link? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907/33 "2017-03-12T17:34:22Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > We have posters and such on heavily used rec trails. Yes you are missing my point. > > The QR would take you to a mobile specific site that has ALL the trails for our county. Many visitors come from other states and have no clue where to go to start with (oh, lets go hiking!), or before they arrive and after they arrive. They may hit the county’s main web page, go to Open Space and Trails page, and then get on a plane. You have completely read my mind! I would definitely like to have a link to current trail conditions especially in late spring/late summer, but not only then since there have been times in the summer I’ve been in summit county and had the trails unexpectedly closed due to trail maintenance. I’m tech agnostic though. If QR is the best tech to get to a one-source trail condition site then go for it, or else go for something else. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907/34 "2017-03-12T17:56:02Z")
> [@AnalogSignal](#): > > Here’s a cool QR code to try. Check it out! 😉 > > [Mystery QR Code - Imgur](http://i.imgur.com/2ValL2G.png) Now, _that_ was cool. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907/35 "2017-03-12T18:38:17Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Sure, on a PRINTED sign. Having a QR code on a webpage is useless - what are you going to do, point your phone at the computer screen to take you to a link? Useless? That’s not the intent. The idea is to allow people to first investigate where to go before you leave. It will give you information about ALL trails in the county. **And you can then take it with you**. It’s a good idea to put a QR on each trail marker but is difficult to implement, but not impossible. Difficult not only for feet on the ground, but updating things for a different QR for each trail. GIS is only a 3 person office. Open Space and Trails ~6 (it varies in the season). We are going to be pushing this info out for 130 of the most used trails. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907/36 "2017-03-12T19:01:54Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > You have completely read my mind! I would definitely like to have a link to current trail conditions especially in late spring/late summer, but not only then since there have been times in the summer I’ve been in summit county and had the trails unexpectedly closed due to trail maintenance. I’m tech agnostic though. If QR is the best tech to get to a one-source trail condition site then go for it, or else go for something else. Thanks for your reply. It’s doubtful that we will have local trail conditions (yet), mostly it will be available use. Here is a few links to use for the Dillon Ranger District. - I am not affiliated with them. [http://www.dillonrangerdistrict.com/winter\_trail\_list.htm](http://www.dillonrangerdistrict.com/winter_trail_list.htm) [http://www.dillonrangerdistrict.com/summer\_trail\_list.htm](http://www.dillonrangerdistrict.com/summer_trail_list.htm) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907/37 "2017-03-12T20:16:56Z")
ETA: **enipla** ’s replies just above weren’t there when I started this post. > [@beowulff](#): > > … > Having a QR code on a webpage is useless - what are you going to do, point your phone at the computer screen to take you to a link? I agreed with you completely; poor dear \*\*enipla \*\*has finally lost it. Then I thought about my own computer/smartphone habits. And suddenly I realized he’s a frickin’ genius. I abhor using my mobile to search for major stuff on the web. Hard to type, hard to use google, most links that come back are to bloated mobile-unfriendly sites, most mobile versions of sites are crippled, etc. Problems, problems, problems. So what I often do is use my desktop for exploring ideas, such as a camping vacation to the mountains. I’ll have 4 browser windows open on 4 screen regions, dozens of web pages, etc. Eventually I’ll come up with 3 or 4 urls that are worth keeping that I’ll want to access later on my phone while I’m on the vacation. Such as his trail conditions, the specific hotel page on the hotel chain’s website, etc. So how do I get those (usually long complicated) urls into my phone? I can create a calendar item and paste them in the notes block. I can paste them into an email then mail them to myself. etc. Kludge kludge kludge. Or I could point my phone at the QR code on the desktop’s screen then save the url in the phone’s favorites. :smack: Genius I say. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907/38 "2017-03-12T20:25:44Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > ETA: **enipla** ’s replies just above weren’t there when I started this post. > I agreed with you completely; poor dear \*\*enipla \*\*has finally lost it. > > Then I thought about my own computer/smartphone habits. And suddenly I realized he’s a frickin’ genius. > > I abhor using my mobile to search for major stuff on the web. Hard to type, hard to use google, most links that come back are to bloated mobile-unfriendly sites, most mobile versions of sites are crippled, etc. Problems, problems, problems. > > So what I often do is use my desktop for exploring ideas, such as a camping vacation to the mountains. I’ll have 4 browser windows open on 4 screen regions, dozens of web pages, etc. Eventually I’ll come up with 3 or 4 urls that are worth keeping that I’ll want to access later on my phone while I’m on the vacation. Such as his trail conditions, the specific hotel page on the hotel chain’s website, etc. > > So how do I get those (usually long complicated) urls into my phone? I can create a calendar item and paste them in the notes block. I can paste them into an email then mail them to myself. etc. Kludge kludge kludge. > > Or I could point my phone at the QR code on the desktop’s screen then save the url in the phone’s favorites. :smack: Genius I say. You’re better off just sync’ing your mobile and PC browsers, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907/39 "2017-03-12T20:28:21Z")
Not only do I ignore them, I wouldn’t know how to use them even if I were interested. I’m old and low-tech. ---
**Author:** ![Bernd\_Stromberg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Bernd\_Stromberg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bernd_Stromberg)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907/40 "2017-03-12T20:30:33Z")
I work in IT sales and find them extremely useful at trade shows/conferences. Every event I’ve been to in the past few years has a QR code printed on attendees’ lanyard name badges. Custom apps created specifically for these events allow us to scan a booth visitor’s badge and all the contact details are captured (along with the ability to add notes and export to Excel, CRMs etc) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-qr-codes/781907.md?page=3)