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Merits 5 from 2 users
Re: Little things that bug you/me about the forum
by
RickDeckard
on 27/12/2024, 14:47:19 UTC
⭐ Merited by LoyceV (4) ,ibminer (1)
And it's not that hard to scan QR codes with computers, or save image and export links.
Of course it's possible, but it's a lot more work than just clicking a link. That's why hyperlinks were invented like 60 years ago. The only real use I see is creating a payment on a PC and paying from a mobile wallet. But who does that on Bitcointalk?
The way I like to think about PowerGlove improvements on the forum (thank you again for those) is comparing the time that he invests on developing them vs. the overall adoption/impact that they will have. In this particular case, I think that the time that PowerGlove will dedicate himself to develop (or perfecting) the implementation of QR codes will result in a feature that won't be much used, unlike 2FA for example. Not because it's bitcointalk, but because it's a forum. The only time that I feel the need to use QR codes in a website is when I am setting up 2FA for example. Perhaps it's just me, but if I were to see a QR code being used to lead to a certain website, I would probably be too lazy to grab my phone and scan it (or use any other tool in my desktop to read it directly on my PC). Like LoyceV said, hyperlinks work just fine for their goal.

I do believe, however, that QR codes are very useful if you have services that deal directly with the consumer - like restaurants (to scan the menu link), parking machines (to grab the parking ID), devices (to easily scan their SN number), gather feedback from events more easily, etc... Personally, besides 2FA, the feature that I also tend to be using the most lately is sharing the Wi-Fi password by QR code.

Of course that as mentioned by joker_josue, these codes have been used to trick the users[1][2][3][4] but I guess that this will eventually happen with any product because .... well we're Humans right? We'll always find a way to take good things and put them in a bad use.

[1]https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/12/scammers-hide-harmful-links-qr-codes-steal-your-information
[2]https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/28996-bbb-scam-alert-double-check-that-qr-code-before-you-pay-for-parking
[3]https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/2024/12/21/what-is-a-brushing-scam-qr-code/76919089007/