I want to second Tony's comment. Use a shortened URL. This way you aren't
dependent on a technology that many users may not have on their mobile
device.

Many savvy mobile users are likely apt to quickly type the URL either way.

I would love this service and think it would be very valuable the the
transit users, btw!

Dave

On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 11:34 AM, Tony Thomas <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I like this one a little better<http://keremerkan.net/qr-code-and-2d-code-generator/>because it allows you to export to SVG, which is scalable, so you could
> make them as big as you need without losing resolution.
>
> I recently attended a very interesting panel on QR codes and the takeaway
> I can offer is to put a URL on the sign with the QR code. That does two
> things:
>
>    1. It offers some memorable form of recognition for who is providing
>    the information.
>
>    No one can remember anything about a QR code. A short URL w/ umn.eduat the end will indicate that it's a University service. Users may even
>    remember it later.
>
>    2. It offers an alternative to those who either aren't familiar with
>    QR codes, don't want to go through the steps necessary to use them, or may
>    be visually impaired.
>
>    There are several actions necessary to scan a QR code. Stop, pull out
>    the phone, find a third-party app (of which there are hundreds), take a
>    photo or scan the code and hope that it properly decodes it and takes the
>    user to the proper place. Some people (myself included) are willing to do
>    that. A lot of people are not.
>
> This is not meant to argue against using them. It's just information I
> found helpful.
>
> On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 11:02 AM, Darren Byrnes <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>> **
>> Would this help??
>>
>> http://qrcode.kaywa.com/
>>
>> Get the needed code, export and resize in a graphics program...or is that
>> too simple??
>>
>> - Darren Byrnes
>>
>>
>> On 4/3/12 10:45 AM, Jacqueline Brudlos wrote:
>>
>>
>> Hello, everyone.  I'm a new member to this listserv (Thanks, Pete!) and I
>> have a dilemma/question (I did try to search through the archive first, but
>> didn't find anything to help me).
>>
>> Parking and Transportation Services is working to launch NextBus, a
>> feature showing students/staff where all of the shuttle buses are in
>> real-time.  See the whole system on your desktop computer, call a number at
>> a particular bus stop and hear "next bus arrives in 2 minutes" OR scan the
>> QR code and get info on your smartphone.
>>
>> Is anyone an expert on those QR codes?
>>
>> Admittedly, I'm completely in the dark on this technology/marketing tool
>> (my phone doesn't even take pictures - that's how outdated I am - LOL).
>>
>> My plan was to work with the Sign Stop to revise the current signage at
>> the campus shuttle stops - specifically adding a graphic overlay to each
>> sign.  BUT these signs are typically 6-8 feet off the ground.  Upon further
>> research online, it sounds to me like I'll need to make the barcode around
>> 8 inches square.  Does anyone use these codes personally or professionally?
>>  Does it work from a distance?  Does the code need to be THAT large?
>>
>> Based on what I found online today, it sounds to me that my plan to
>> revise the current signage won't work.  I think I'm going to have to make a
>> second 8.5x11 size sign.
>>
>> I'm just trying to not waste time/money on doing this wrong.  Does anyone
>> have any advice for me?
>>
>> Thanks in advance.
>>
>> Jacqueline
>> ===========
>> JACQUELINE BRUDLOS
>> Communications Manager  |  Parking and Transportation Services
>> University of Minnesota
>> 511 Washington Ave SE  |  300 TSB  |  Minneapolis, MN 55455
>> 612-624-4161 (direct)  |  612-626-PARK (main)  |  612-624-8899 (fax)
>> [log in to unmask]  |  www.umn.edu/pts
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Tony Thomas
> Web Developer
> University of Minnesota
> Student Unions & Activities
> 300 Washington Ave SE, Ste 500
> Minneapolis MN 55455
>
> Direct: 612-626-9820
> Fax:     612-624-7256
> sua.umn.edu <http://www.sua.umn.edu>
>
>
>


-- 
David Peterson
IT Professional
Office of Institutional Research
University of Minnesota
http://www.oir.umn.edu

612-625-0914
[log in to unmask]