QR Codes

[Zema Bus]

The client facility where I'm working has an arrangement with the contract company I work for to provide auditing for their staff (as a group, me included since I'm assigned there). Every quarter following an audit they provide education and a post test based on the audit findings. This time after getting through the educational material I find that instead of directly linking to the post test like before, they had to get all trendy and use a stupid QR code. A QR code, for staff who can only do their job on regular computers and who completed the education on regular computers. That test would also be a royal pain on a tiny phone screen, I can't image trying to do it that way. Maybe with a webcam Windows would automatically recognize the QR code and follow it to wherever it goes, I've never tried that so I have no idea, and I didn't have one on hand in any case. I was in Firefox so what I did was use Firefox's built-in screen capture function to select and copy the QR code to an image, then I dropped the QR code image into Chrome, which has a right click utility to interpret QR codes and spit out the actual URL which you can then copy and paste to another browser. After all that I was able to see the test on my computer screen. I hate QR codes, "tiny URL's" and anything else that hides the actual destination.

[Grogan]

Indeed, I don't like URL obfuscation either, but that takes it to a different level. I don't know whether they think they are clever, or they think they are being more "secure" by obscuring the URL, but it's pointless hoops. How is a QR code "easier" than a URL to tap, even on a phone.

I know ONE way to interpret QR codes. Take it to someone else. I forget why I had one (not the Amazon return, that's a "take it to someone else") but at the time it was pretty complicated to deal with on Linux. I think I refused to do it if I recall. I probably complained about it on the old forum, but it was years ago.

On Windows, the Camera app has a scanner button for QR codes (and bar codes too I think).

[Zema Bus]

Yeah I don't know what they were thinking. Even with a way to do it with a camera in Windows they're assuming everyone has a camera available so they can take the scenic route. And they always have this introduction to the educator, running through details of her personal life, like anyone really cares. She's into some weird stuff, like channeling (spirits I guess). This is supposed to be a professional presentation, the client doesn't need to know those kinds of details lol! She must have been the one who came up with the QR code idea.

[Grogan]

A lot of instructors use their position to promote their ideology or religion, on a captive audience.

That's right, I don't have, and don't want a camera.