QR Code Anxiety

1. 62

   Eric Newlandposted 12 years ago

   When I finally upgraded to an iPhone a couple of months ago I thought I was hot stuff. "All right!" I thought. "Now I can scan those QR codes I see everywhere! Cool!" I downloaded a scanning app and stalked the world, ready to zap some QR awesomeness.
   
   To my chagrin, however, I soon realized that I didn't care about 80% of the QR codes out there. I mean, do I really want to join BD's Mongo Madness e-mail club or whatever?
   
   And then, even more disturbing, I discovered that even on the occasion when I find a QR code that actually looks useful, I hesitate. I get self-conscious. "What will people think if they see me whip out my phone to scan this code?" I wonder. "Will they think I'm some smartphone d-bag, scanning codes willy-nilly just so I can show off my phone?" And then, "What if they're right?"
   
   Has anyone else experienced QR code anxiety or other smartphone-related disorders? Maybe we can form a support group. Is there an app for that?

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2. 80

   skyfireposted 12 years ago

   

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3. 83

   ElizaDooleposted 12 years ago

   In the UK geezers look well-dodgy when they sidle up to a lingerie ad on a massive billboard and start waving their smartphones about. Avoid. Avoid.

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   1. 62

      Eric Newlandposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Ew.

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4. 87

   jponiatoposted 12 years ago

   Heh - this is a pretty funny take on a side of the whole QR code concept I hadn't thought much about.  I *have* worried that scanning the wrong code might be granting my tacit agreement to buy something I hadn't intended to.  I imagine scanning a code from some window and getting a message like "Thanks for signing up for a two year subscription to Oprah's magazine.  You'll be billed at 4 easy payments of $12.95 each."
   
   I keep my phone in my pocket.

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   1. 62

      Eric Newlandposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Well, a QR code can't contain anything more sinister than a URL. Don't scan one that you just find graffitied on a wall somewhere, because codes could conceivably point you to a site with a malicious script, but it can't be a purchasing agreement all by itself because it doesn't contain your own personal payment information.

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5. 0

   Lynn S. Murphyposted 12 years ago

   bwahahaha. i just downloaded weight watchers app that scans and tell you points. its evil really.

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