[TVTVTV]

Originally Posted by ltcdfancher

My wife and I close on our new home in The Villages in less than 48-hours. We plan to have some calling cards made to share our details with new-found friends. Being ever-so-slightly geekish, I am considering a QR Code along with the traditional numbers and letters.

I went to one of those Generate Your Free QR Code Here websites. Wham-Bam. In less than five minutes, I had my VCard embedded (I thought) in a QR Code. A few days later and after I had some cards printed, the email came through saying that my free-trial had expired; my QR Code was now inactive.

Some more research revealed that QR Codes can encode simple text. A VCard is just a bunch of text strings in a particular format. I found the correct format. Entered my info into the correct places in the format. Then I copied that information into a different QR Code generator as plain text. Screenshot the result and everything seems to work.

What hurdles might I find as I distribute my contact information this way?

Congrats on your new home! I personally would never bother to scan a QR code that was on a social card. They are a nuisance at bars and restaurants when they don't have other media menus. Too much grief. I'd put the card in my file (not circular of course)!

[sallyg]

QR codes annoy everyone I know, of a certain age, including me.

[RRGuyNJ]

Simply give them your name and number. Done! Text it to them if you want high tech. OR Codes! No need at all.

[MrFlorida]

A phone number will do for new friends.

[midiwiz]

Originally Posted by ltcdfancher

My wife and I close on our new home in The Villages in less than 48-hours. We plan to have some calling cards made to share our details with new-found friends. Being ever-so-slightly geekish, I am considering a QR Code along with the traditional numbers and letters.

I went to one of those Generate Your Free QR Code Here websites. Wham-Bam. In less than five minutes, I had my VCard embedded (I thought) in a QR Code. A few days later and after I had some cards printed, the email came through saying that my free-trial had expired; my QR Code was now inactive.

Some more research revealed that QR Codes can encode simple text. A VCard is just a bunch of text strings in a particular format. I found the correct format. Entered my info into the correct places in the format. Then I copied that information into a different QR Code generator as plain text. Screenshot the result and everything seems to work.

What hurdles might I find as I distribute my contact information this way?

don't spend a lot on those, and forget the QR codes, many aren't that savvy, let alone many will take your card never to be heard from again.

[ltcdfancher]

Originally Posted by bowlingal

I never have used QR codes, and hopefully never will. A friend of mine who worked for the gov"t, said to NEVER scan those QR codes that you see advertised. Scammers can get into those too, and take all your info from your phone. Just sayin.....do what you want.

I’ve been accused of many things, but never a scammer!

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by ltcdfancher

I’ve been accused of many things, but never a scammer!

Nobody suggested you are a scammer

[USNA87]

Some of you may like the Dot Card. dot. cards - Digital Business Card of the Future
– dot.cards

You can set up your complete profile (whatever you want to share) online, and when the Dot card comes into proximity of a phone, the link pops up, you select it, your profile shows up, and they can save it to their contacts. Very simple. There is also a QR card on the back if your proximity setting is not on.

$20 for a card and it lasts forever.

Originally Posted by ltcdfancher

My wife and I close on our new home in The Villages in less than 48-hours. We plan to have some calling cards made to share our details with new-found friends. Being ever-so-slightly geekish, I am considering a QR Code along with the traditional numbers and letters.

I went to one of those Generate Your Free QR Code Here websites. Wham-Bam. In less than five minutes, I had my VCard embedded (I thought) in a QR Code. A few days later and after I had some cards printed, the email came through saying that my free-trial had expired; my QR Code was now inactive.

Some more research revealed that QR Codes can encode simple text. A VCard is just a bunch of text strings in a particular format. I found the correct format. Entered my info into the correct places in the format. Then I copied that information into a different QR Code generator as plain text. Screenshot the result and everything seems to work.

What hurdles might I find as I distribute my contact information this way?

[BFISHER54]

Personally, I would never scan a QR code on someone’s card. Too big of a risk.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

personally, i hate email now not in the business world, and I tell contractors, companies, etc, to call/text me versus email, as I no longer live on email for timely responses. . . . don't use email on my phone either. .

good luck with your new project retiring with too much time on your hands

[Shadowrider]

I would be very reluctant to scan a QR code even if it looks like it came from a friend. I know that many of my friends have been hacked and that hackers use QR codes to install malicious software. Whenever you scan any QR code you are at risk.

[Lisanp@aol.com]

I have minimal info on my calling cards - First names (not last), Village name (not address), one cell number (that it's easy to block a caller) and a "Villages specific" email address created for this purpose.
You don't REALLY know who you are sharing your personal information with on a first meet...maybe I'm too cautious, but "better safe than sorry"

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Lisanp@aol.com

I have minimal info on my calling cards - First names (not last), Village name (not address), one cell number (that it's easy to block a caller) and a "Villages specific" email address created for this purpose.
You don't REALLY know who you are sharing your personal information with on a first meet...maybe I'm too cautious, but "better safe than sorry"

Wouldn’t it be easier just to not give out a card to someone you are not comfortable with?

[shut the front door]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Wouldn’t it be easier just to not give out a card to someone you are not comfortable with?

Sometimes, it doesn't get uncomfortable until after you've exchanged. I had a couple of swingers give me their card, but I didn't give them my info. Didn't know they were swingers until after they'd given me the card.