[yannickmahe]

I saw one use of the QR code that impressed me: in my city (Lyon, France), on bus stops, there are QR codes. Following them leads to a web page where you get the waiting time for the next buses. This is a quick and cheap way to display the waiting time without adding hardware to the bus stops.

The only good point I see for the QR code is that it makes it easier to get to a webpage. That made perfect use of it.

[donohoe]

It would be faster and easier for a Short URL in place of a QR code in most cases.

For example - at the bus stop with a QR code I would have:

- locate an app I rarely use in the Menu

- open app

- depending on app, hit button to go to camera

- snap photo

- processing time

- opens web browser... (sometimes I'd get a confirmation page prior to the action)

With a Short URL:

- open browser thats prominently placed on my phone

- tap in Short URL (bit.ly/xYz123XyZ)

Manually typing a Short URL is a very low pain point in comparison to QR codes these days.

[yannickmahe]

I always feel it's kind of a pain to type in a smartphone, especially URLs where autocorrect can't work.

m.tcl.fr/123 wouldn't take so long I guess, but to me it feels more annoying than opening the app (which is on my second screen) and clicking on the "scan" button.

[DanLivesHere]

Or even text messaging. Text "M15 AT 53" to "311411" and you find out when the next bus is going to be at your stop. That'd work.

[dane]

Melbourne uses a four digit number for tram stops (for use via text, automated voice, web and apps) and it works quite well. http://tramtracker.yarratrams.com.au/phone/

[freemarketteddy]

facebook.com/myawesomecompany is probably the best and easiest

[jadedoto]

My University (The University of Kentucky) actually just implemented this this year. We scan the codes and we can either go to a webpage or download an app that has the GPS location of the buses with ETA. Pretty cool, actually.