Why do people fall for this?
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@revk because most people don't know that a qr code is just some text in reliably scannable form. They think it's some complicated magic thing that requires Services.
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I prefer to see a QR code alongside the information contained within it, rather than just the QR code, but as an easy means of transferring data, I like QR codes.
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I prefer to see a QR code alongside the information contained within it, rather than just the QR code, but as an easy means of transferring data, I like QR codes.
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@BenCotterill @revk We are still talking about a shop window, right?
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@BenCotterill @revk We are still talking about a shop window, right?
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@BenCotterill @revk Yep, both have their place.
@neil @BenCotterill @revk And the place for QR codes is the bin. I'd rather pick up and reuse needles from the ground than follow a link that could be pointing literally anywhere because it's not human readable.
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@revk a similar thing that saddens me is shop/van signs saying "https://joes-garden-services.com/ joesgarden2241@gmail.com"... You've got that lovely domain, why not use it for email?

@kitten_tech @revk
… while most of Joe’s online ‘traffic’ goes via a Facebook page. Where everything’s an image (& not a scrap of alt-text). I despair! -
@neil @BenCotterill @revk And the place for QR codes is the bin. I'd rather pick up and reuse needles from the ground than follow a link that could be pointing literally anywhere because it's not human readable.
@woe2you @neil @BenCotterill My iphone shows me the domain before I follow the link.
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@woe2you @neil @BenCotterill My iphone shows me the domain before I follow the link.
Same here on Android.
As I say, I prefer to see the content separately, but I appreciate the convenience of a QR code.
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Same here on Android.
As I say, I prefer to see the content separately, but I appreciate the convenience of a QR code.
@neil @revk @woe2you @BenCotterill Of course, this is another reason to show the code for mycompany.co.uk rather than dodgyintermediaries.com.
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@neil @revk @woe2you @BenCotterill Of course, this is another reason to show the code for mycompany.co.uk rather than dodgyintermediaries.com.
@RogerBW @neil @woe2you @BenCotterill Indeed.
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Same here on Android.
As I say, I prefer to see the content separately, but I appreciate the convenience of a QR code.
But I am, I suppose, coming at this from the perspective of a QR code for a URL *where the actual URL of the target* is in the QR code. Not some "QR-code-as-a-service" proxy.
But then I feel the same about link shorteners etc., for plain text URLs: just show me the actual destination.
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@neil @revk @woe2you @BenCotterill Of course, this is another reason to show the code for mycompany.co.uk rather than dodgyintermediaries.com.
@RogerBW @revk @woe2you @BenCotterill
Yes, snap.
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But I am, I suppose, coming at this from the perspective of a QR code for a URL *where the actual URL of the target* is in the QR code. Not some "QR-code-as-a-service" proxy.
But then I feel the same about link shorteners etc., for plain text URLs: just show me the actual destination.
@neil @revk @BenCotterill At this point it's safe to assume all shortening is explicitly to disguise tracking.
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@revk thats why i run my own short url with qr code website to avoid this
@KaraDanvers @revk
No need for a short URL (They are terrible things).
Also loads of free QR code generation SW.
Inkscape is one. -
@revk because most people don't know that a qr code is just some text in reliably scannable form. They think it's some complicated magic thing that requires Services.
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Why do people fall for this?
Second time I have seen a nicely printed sign in a shop window with a #QR which when scanned says your free trial is over.
Just make the QR go to your own website FFS.
[helpful info: my free code tools https://qr.revk.uk and web QR encoder https://4.gg at bottom of page - includes a lot of QR abuse as well]
@revk Some companies use a QR code forwarder to send the user to the relevant App Store based on iPhone/Android user agent. If you check the parking companies’ TrustPilot reviews, you will find people who have been scammed by the interstitial ad, because the company is using the ad supported version instead of paying. It happed at my day job. Thanks, marketing department!
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Why do people fall for this?
Second time I have seen a nicely printed sign in a shop window with a #QR which when scanned says your free trial is over.
Just make the QR go to your own website FFS.
[helpful info: my free code tools https://qr.revk.uk and web QR encoder https://4.gg at bottom of page - includes a lot of QR abuse as well]
@revk
Missing (so far) in the replies is how to generate a QR code with the text or URL you want. I didn't know.I accidentally found out that using duckduckgo to search for "qr code https://www.example.com" generates the qr code.
(Initially I searched for "qr code format" and was surprised, but delighted, to be presented with a QR code that represents the word "format")
The Wikipedia page on QR codes suggests LibreOffice can generate them too
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@mark yeah those are almost by definition going to be predatory

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@neil @revk @woe2you @BenCotterill Of course, this is another reason to show the code for mycompany.co.uk rather than dodgyintermediaries.com.
@RogerBW @neil @woe2you @BenCotterill May have to register dodgyintermediaries.com
