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The article's title of "QR Code Fatigue" struck me as a little funny. It's not like they're wide-spread and I don't think anyone really uses them anyways (the t

The article's title of "QR Code Fatigue" struck me as a little funny. It's not like they're wide-spread and I don't think anyone really uses them anyways (the terrible numbers bear that out). Unlike the more well known phrase "Clinton Fatigue", QR codes where never known by or felt <em>forced upon</em> by a majority anyways. Maybe marketing companies (which seem to be what the article is based on) is starting to give up on the things, but that's hardly fatigue; it's a simple ROI decision. That's enough time wasted on that. One thing about the article is that it is based almost exclusively on a marketing-based use case. I think it stinks for marketing, because nobody wants to actively seek out a sales pitch, especially one with a bit of friction like QR codes. Now, if you use QR codes for work, then that's a different story. I worked with a couple guys on a film tracking system for a film festival and posting QR codes on canisters, vehicles, and locations for the purpose of "checking in" was quite effective.

pyre 14y ago
> QR codes where never known by a majority anyways. Just last week, I drove past a billboard on the freeway with a huge QR code at the bottom of the advert. (Apparently I'm supposed to pull out my phone while driving to learn more!) Not only that, I saw a bunch of bananas at the grocery store that where the label was basically the brand name + tiny QR code instead of the normal 'grocery code' (e.g. 4011 for bananas, 94011 for organic bananas, etc). Even if the general public doesn't know the term "QR Code" they see those things everywhere. I'll bet that most people probably don't even know what they are for, but they definitely notice them.
huggyface 14y ago
For broad marketing it's nonsense -- the early premise was that it was like some sort of exclusive code. For specific marketing, however, it can be great. I think QR codes on real estate signs (bringing you to the full property page) are brilliant. I've noticed manuals are often coming with them now, linking to the electronic version. Again, awesome. They have tremendous utility but it isn't surprising that people try to overextend them.

pyre 14y ago

> QR codes where never known by a majority anyways. Just last week, I drove past a billboard on the freeway with a huge QR code at the bottom of the advert. (Apparently I'm supposed to pull out my phone while driving to learn more!) Not only that, I saw a bunch of bananas at the grocery store that where the label was basically the brand name + tiny QR code instead of the normal 'grocery code' (e.g. 4011 for bananas, 94011 for organic bananas, etc). Even if the general public doesn't know the term "QR Code" they see those things everywhere. I'll bet that most people probably don't even know what they are for, but they definitely notice them.

huggyface 14y ago

For broad marketing it's nonsense -- the early premise was that it was like some sort of exclusive code. For specific marketing, however, it can be great. I think QR codes on real estate signs (bringing you to the full property page) are brilliant. I've noticed manuals are often coming with them now, linking to the electronic version. Again, awesome. They have tremendous utility but it isn't surprising that people try to overextend them.