Scott Hanselman 👸🏽🐝🌮I am SHOCKED that QR Codes actually happened. I would have *never* bet on this ridiculous tech, but as soon as all phones built it into the camera app, then restaurants decided that a QR code pointing to a freaking PDF in Dropbox was a valid menu, it was over. The avalanche had begun, and it was too late for the pebbles to vote.
bigsamol@shanselman From your post, I get the impression you don't like QR codes? If so, why not? Otherwise, sorry for assuming.
@sao they assume a lot. They aren’t the lowest common denominator. They assume everyone has a phone with data and can use it. Paper is cheaper and simply works. I find them dehumanizing when used in restaurants
sharprs@shanselman When used to provide a menu they are a massive accessibility feature for anyone with low vision that can still use a screen. I don't have to pull out a camera to use as a magnifier when there's something to pinch and zoom.
Of course, a responsive site would be an improvement over PDF as others have mentioned. Except when sites try to prevent zooming. At that point it crosses back into visual-impairment-hostile territory.
2¢@shanselman @sao paper assumes everyone can read.
@Qbitzerre @sao that’s a pretty good assumption given that they have made their way to the airport and are now preparing to order food and pay for it. Are you saying that the QR code is more familiar than reading?
@shanselman @sao I'm saying that many assumptions are good ones, particularly in airports. I assume those who print QR codes are aware that some curmudgeons won't use them, but discount them.
@shanselman @Qbitzerre In my eyes, it's safe to assume in the western world that someone has a phone with connectivity (if they're in a place that's using them- like a restaurant). Agreed they're not more familiar but they don't need to be? Although, I can agree that - particularly in higher-end restaurants - I would go for a nice paper menu **any day of the week**.