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+--- Thread: QR codes—have I screwed up? (/showthread.php?tid=167211)
QR codes—have I screwed up? - Mr Downtown - 05-14-2014
Based on the advice offered in this thread, I used qr-code-generator.com to generate this code:
Now that it's permanently printed on two huge displays at the Chicago Cultural Center, yesterday I got an email saying my 14-day free trial had expired. That's true, I didn't need any services other than the QR code. But I just got an email saying "our system has recognized that an inactive QR Code was scanned."
Am I totally screwed? Do I have to pay €5 a month forever because I didn't explicitly ask for advice on a free QR code generator? If any of you have QR code readers, what message do you see when you point at the code above?
Re: QR codes—have I screwed up? - Paul F. - 05-14-2014
No idea, but the URL that QR code sends me to is http://q-r-to/o6o
So maybe it's the URL of the QR code reader/maker people rather than the one you wanted?
No idea... I don't use 'em enough to know much of anything about them, really.
I hope you can sort it out (free...)!
Re: QR codes—have I screwed up? - Acer - 05-14-2014
I get the same "trial account expired" message. Not looking good.
Re: QR codes—have I screwed up? - Black - 05-14-2014
The service you used says:
Free forever
Create up to 5 of static and 1 dynamic QR Codes for free.
Re: QR codes—have I screwed up? - datbeme - 05-14-2014
I don't know anything about QR code use or the company you mentioned, but scanning that code takes me to the following URL:
q-r.to/O6O
If they are the ones that manage the URL, I don't see a way around paying the subscription fee to keep it active. What page did you originally intend it to direct to? I assume that the above address is inseparable from the code and that during your trial period, it was simply redirected to an address of your choosing.
Re: QR codes—have I screwed up? - Marc Anthony - 05-14-2014
It looks like the dynamic option generates a code using their service as a go-between. Lame.
Re: QR codes—have I screwed up? - bik - 05-14-2014
Aack!
As someone who has used free QR code generators in the past, scary!
It seems that this QR code is a short URL to the company's service, which then would forward to your destination.
In the future, you and I will both know to check that a QR code goes directly to the appropriate destination!
Sorry this happened to you. That company sucks for being so shady.
Re: QR codes—have I screwed up? - Mr Downtown - 05-14-2014
Well, I had folks check it before the panels were fabricated. I just never dreamed the code would expire.
I guess this is why they make full-sheet stickers for laser printers.
Re: QR codes—have I screwed up? - Mr Downtown - 05-14-2014
OK, I just "upgraded" to a free account. Does it send you to the Chicago Landmarks website now?
Re: QR codes—have I screwed up? - bik - 05-14-2014
It does.
Whew!
In the interim, I read a article about exactly your situation:
http://notixtech.com/blog/why-you-should-think-twice-about-free-qr-code-generators