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In 2017, I started working on an app that interacts with the real world using QR code. I became obsessed with QR code, I scan every single one I encounter. You

In 2017, I started working on an app that interacts with the real world using QR code. I became obsessed with QR code, I scan every single one I encounter. You would be surprised at how many state/government service started printing QR codes (for more info) everywhere only to neglect the domain name. One that stood out to me was at Los Angeles International Airport. The sign said to scan get more info (flight info? I can't remember). I scanned and ended up on a parked domain name. The OP is a perfect gentleman for not using the domain to exploit people instead. I want to say "how the hell do they let the domain name expire?" but I've worked in large companies where this was the running joke every few weeks. There must be a better way to notify people about an expiring domain name.

toyg 6y ago
> only to neglect the domain name I'd bet that they started doing it, had zero uptake, cancelled the project, didn't bother re-printing promo material or renewing domains. QR codes are still too geeky (and maybe will always be).
- staticfish 6y ago
  I'd say just by subjective observation that lockdown and limited staff availability have done a huge amount to take QR to ubiquity more than anything else.
  - laurent92 6y ago
    It’s now as simple as can be - the basic camera app on most phone is enough to use QR codes, but it seems it’s not natural, apart from specific usecases.
- koyote 6y ago
  Anecdotally I noticed QR codes all over the place in East Asian countries (on receipts in Taiwan for example). Then here in Australia we now have a QR code system for 'checking in' to an establishment (for Covid tracing). I'd say at this point the vast majority of the population must be using QR codes multiple times a week/month. I've also seen quite a few bars/restaurants implement NFC/QR discs on tables that then point you to the menu/online ordering. It works surprisingly well (and I believe some countries in Europe have done the same in terms of menus at the very least). So this might be the year of the QR code!
  - nmfisher 6y ago
    In Singapore, it’s also pretty common for cafes to have menus (or even end-to-end ordering and payment) via QR code. I think that’s a pretty good use case (in addition to COVID check in/checkout).
  - toyg 6y ago
    We have those in the UK too, to "check in" cafes etc. Pretty much nobody uses them, which is part of the reason the whole tracing effort was basically abandoned.
    - koyote 6y ago
      They are mandatory here with heavy fines if the premises are found to not use them properly. It also helps that cases are so rare here that you can have a public list of places they visited while infectious for the public to monitor.
- thrwyoilarticle 6y ago
  https://picturesofpeoplescanningqrcodes.tumblr.com/ https://picturesofpeoplescanningqrcodes.tumblr.com/ 9 years old.
nsilvestri 6y ago
Sounds like you'd be familiar with Munzee. For anyone who doesn't know, it's like Geocaching, but instead of a container with a logbook, you look for a QR code and scan it to log a find.
jobigoud 6y ago
> I scanned and ended up on a parked domain name. Another "attack" is simply to print and stick a different QR code on top of a public one. Then you could redirect unsuspecting users to a malicious or advert website. The fact that this isn't done tells me nobody really scans public QR codes...

toyg 6y ago

> only to neglect the domain name I'd bet that they started doing it, had zero uptake, cancelled the project, didn't bother re-printing promo material or renewing domains. QR codes are still too geeky (and maybe will always be).

staticfish 6y ago
I'd say just by subjective observation that lockdown and limited staff availability have done a huge amount to take QR to ubiquity more than anything else.
- laurent92 6y ago
  It’s now as simple as can be - the basic camera app on most phone is enough to use QR codes, but it seems it’s not natural, apart from specific usecases.
koyote 6y ago
Anecdotally I noticed QR codes all over the place in East Asian countries (on receipts in Taiwan for example). Then here in Australia we now have a QR code system for 'checking in' to an establishment (for Covid tracing). I'd say at this point the vast majority of the population must be using QR codes multiple times a week/month. I've also seen quite a few bars/restaurants implement NFC/QR discs on tables that then point you to the menu/online ordering. It works surprisingly well (and I believe some countries in Europe have done the same in terms of menus at the very least). So this might be the year of the QR code!
- nmfisher 6y ago
  In Singapore, it’s also pretty common for cafes to have menus (or even end-to-end ordering and payment) via QR code. I think that’s a pretty good use case (in addition to COVID check in/checkout).
- toyg 6y ago
  We have those in the UK too, to "check in" cafes etc. Pretty much nobody uses them, which is part of the reason the whole tracing effort was basically abandoned.
  - koyote 6y ago
    They are mandatory here with heavy fines if the premises are found to not use them properly. It also helps that cases are so rare here that you can have a public list of places they visited while infectious for the public to monitor.
thrwyoilarticle 6y ago
https://picturesofpeoplescanningqrcodes.tumblr.com/ https://picturesofpeoplescanningqrcodes.tumblr.com/ 9 years old.

nsilvestri 6y ago

Sounds like you'd be familiar with Munzee. For anyone who doesn't know, it's like Geocaching, but instead of a container with a logbook, you look for a QR code and scan it to log a find.

jobigoud 6y ago

> I scanned and ended up on a parked domain name. Another "attack" is simply to print and stick a different QR code on top of a public one. Then you could redirect unsuspecting users to a malicious or advert website. The fact that this isn't done tells me nobody really scans public QR codes...