Case Western Reserve University students have mixed reactions to camera phone barcodes on campus

Case Western Reserve University's student newspaper, The Observer, has published an interesting article about the use of snapping camera phone photos of 2D barcodes to obtain information at the school (http://observer.case.edu/Archives/Volume_40/Issue_26/Story_2743).

Reactions were mixed, but many students weren't impressed with the barcodes' value. Two especially interesting points to me:

1. Students wondered why barcodes were necessary if the same information that would be provided by taking a barcode photo to access the Web simply could be provided -- or is provided -- on the paper (poster, advertisement, etc.) where the barcode was printed and

2. Students didn't like barcodes that didn't describe what information would be provided.

What makes sense

My view: A barcode isn't necessary if it's more appropriate to include the information directly on the document. Also, perhaps we'll find that barcodes are used much more when information about their use is provided.

On a movie poster, for example, the text above the barcode could say: "Get a discount coupon, theater locations, schedules and reviews."

Except in certain circumstances -- such as contests, treasure hunts, etc. -- people might need to understand why they should go through the trouble of snapping a photo and waiting for the download of information from the Web. That seems logical to me.

[Sent to TypePad via wireless e-mail with RIM BlackBerry Curve 8320.]

Comments

[Alec Gianakis]

The issue of barcodes is not the barcode itself, but its application.
There is a fine line between usability, entertainment and shear nonsense.
As the students pointed out, there is no use of bar codes to retrieve information that can otherwise be accessed, and certainly faster and with less inconvenience than taking a focused picture of an odd looking drawing, from a poster that can at the same time provide the information straight away.
In other words, it´s like scanning a bar code at a supermarket to figure out you are buying bread. The bar code in the supermarket retrieves prices information and allows a faster POS check through this is its added value.
Unless applicability and usability are integral part of the bar code scanning application, thus proving added value to the solution, this will never be more than a gadget.