Do you use QR codes or do you avoid them?

[joblakely@mastodon.social]

Do you use QR codes or do you avoid them?
Please boost for more replies. Thanks.

[mmdolbow@mapstodon.space]

@JoBlakely generally don't, but while I used to see them as a "solution looking for a problem", I've come to see the utility.

Anecdotal example: Red Cross blood drives. They used to have a bar code for their "Rapid Pass", which is a pre-screening tool that donors can use to save time. The bar code was really difficult to scan off my phone, requiring several painful tries from staff.

They replaced the bar code with a QR code, and it consistently works better.

[artemis@dice.camp]

@JoBlakely
I avoid them, though I do often think about pasting over QR codes in public spaces with different QR codes that lead somewhere else. In a lot of scenarios it would be quite easy to do.

[flashmobofone@mstdn.social]

@JoBlakely I just prefer to type the address myself and know I'm navigating where intended.

[bweller@mstdn.social]

@JoBlakely Ive been known to use them in place of finding another way to copy small chunks of text

and signal uses it, so there's that i guess

i dont use a scanner that automatically previews or opens links: https://f-droid.org/packages/com.secuso.privacyFriendlyCodeScanner

Theyre on Mastodon also: @SECUSO_Research

[mamalake@beige.party]

@artemis @JoBlakely qr side quests for fulfilling mutual aid requests or donating to food banks- slipped over restaurant menu QR codes

[frantasaur@mastodon.ie]

@JoBlakely scanning a random qr code in the wild can be a security risk, they are often used for scams, and who knows what fake websites they might link to.

[joblakely@mastodon.social]

@Frantasaur I was thinking of adding them to my zines. They seem common there. I have them on my promo cards for my art and on tiny stickers I made also for my art.
But seeing as how so many seem wary (as am I) maybe it’s not worth adding it.

[zimzat@mastodon.social]

@JoBlakely It depends.

There's a restaurant that has outdoor seating with a QR on each table. It lets me order food without flagging a server from inside so no need to mask up just to get a seat. Menus should still be an option.

One place gives a QR on the receipt to pay on phone or at register

QR that replicates a visible text link are nice to have.

Saw a shopfront with only 'scan QR for hours' and immediately went 'never going there then'.

I hate QRs that are just shortener/tracker links.

[morrick@appdot.net]

@JoBlakely I’m in that grey area between ‘yes’ and ‘no’. There are situations where I use them because there is no alternative. A lot of places to eat where I live don’t have a paper menu and you have to scan a QR code to view it. Some apps need me to scan a QR code as means of authentication.

I’m aware that QR codes can be used maliciously, so I’m certainly not scanning every QR code I see in the wild.

[dukeduke@mastodon.social]

@JoBlakely Hard NEVER. I'd rather lose a limb first.

[joblakely@mastodon.social]

@morrick yeah. When covid began that really took off. It was more sanitary than menus. I just didn’t go to places or I asked for a menu. They did usually have one because not everyone brings a phone with them. I almost never do.

[vrek@mastodon.social]

@JoBlakely depends on qr code purpose and who made it. Like I had a bunch of accounts for different systems with mandatory 36 characters randomly generated passwords. I printed a book with all the usernames and passwords in qr codes. Yeah not best security but it was stored in a locked cabinet and no plain text. We also used qr codes for serial numbers as it was smaller and more reliable.

Now random qr codes stuck to a pole in town... No!

[kimlockhartga@beige.party]

@JoBlakely Only to check in for a vaccine. They make it hell if you say you don't have your phone with you.

[wcbdata@vis.social]

@JoBlakely I usually check to see if they're tracking links or just an encoded URL before using. I avoid trackers - especially big corporate trackers - like the plague. I also develop a rash whenever someone sends me an email with a QR code in it. Yeesh.

[cherrybombspice@mastodon.sdf.org]

@JoBlakely If I must I only use QR codes I trust which is super rarely. There's so many ways to get hacked, I prefer not to risk it.

[softicecreamlesley@famichiki.jp]

@JoBlakely QR codes are wonderful for many purposes but I prefer to order my food from a real, live person.

[joblakely@mastodon.social]

@softicecreamlesley
What if it was on an artists business postcard, or zine directing you to the artists website or similar?

[joblakely@mastodon.social]

It seems that so far, regardless I have to print the website in text. So is there any benefit to using a QR code?

[softicecreamlesley@famichiki.jp]

@JoBlakely Of course. Anything is better than typing in a URL. I own an English school in Japan and using QR codes to help my students access what they need has been a really game changer.

Also, I have a QR code on a poster in the front window of my school that interested people can scan to access our website.