Actual attempts to use a QCat as intended- record of results
In the spirit of fairness, since I did get this clever little goodie for free, I tried to use it as intended by the supplier.
I gathered several things from around the house, and set to the task of scanning their barcodes. I wanted to see how useful this gizmo really was. Results are tabulated below, but first some explanation of the table itself.
- A result of 'Nothing' means exactly that. With the provided software, I can't tell if the scan itself didn't work, or if the software just ignored it. I swiped each barcode several times before recording a 'Nothing' result.
- An 'Irrelevant' result was the delivery of a webpage that has no discernible connection to the scanned product. For example, scanning the barcode of a BUST magazine delivered me to the website of an electronic-component distributor.
- An 'Expected' result is a URL that I could have guessed by looking at the product, or that was printed on the package itself. I don't count these among the 'Useful' results, because the scanner/software didn't do anything that I couldn't have done easily by myself.
- A 'Useful' result is a referral to a URL that wouldn't be guessed from the package, but that still provides nothing unique, e.g. no mention is made of my arrival via QCat, and no special offers are made to me. These are useful, I guess, but again the device isn't really doing anything special for me.
- A 'Unique' result is the Holy Grail of this exercise- a QCat-specific URL, possibly even with the much-promised 'SPECIAL OFFER'.
- The 'You Found One!' result is a page on DC's site, for barcodes not yet recognized by DC.They graciously invite me to provide:
- a description of the product I just scanned
- the maker of said product
- a URL that future swipers could be referred to
This is followed by an admonition that any information I provide will become their property, solely and exclusively! Jeeee-zus. What if I typed in my name? Would DC own my name? They scare me.
- The hyperlinks in the 'Product' column refer to descriptions of particularly 'interesting' results.
|
Result |
|
Nothing |
|
Nothing |
|
Nothing |
|
Nothing |
|
Nothing |
|
Nothing |
|
Useful |
|
You Found One! |
|
Nothing |
|
|
Irrelevant |
|
|
Irrelevant |
|
Nothing |
|
You Found One! |
|
Nothing |
|
Nothing |
|
Nothing |
|
Nothing |
|
Nothing |
|
Nothing |
|
You Found One! |
|
Nothing |
|
Useful |
|
Nothing |
|
Nothing |
|
Nothing |
|
Expected |
|
|
Expected |
|
Nothing |
|
|
Useful |
|
Nothing |
|
Nothing |
|
Expected |
|
Nothing |
|
Nothing |
|
Useful |
|
Useful |
|
Nothing |
|
|
Irrelevant |
|
You Found One! |
|
You Found One! |
|
Expected |
|
Expected |
|
Expected |
|
Nothing |
|
Useful |
|
|
Irrelevant |
|
|
Irrelevant |
|
You Found One! |
|
|
Irrelevant |
|
Expected |
Well, there you have it. Quick recap:
Products scanned: 50
Actual responses from the 50 scans: 25
Relevant responses: 13
Useful responses: 6
Unique URLs viewed as a specific result of an afternoon's use of the QCat: ZERO.
"Instant connections to special offers" etc. : ZERO.
Overall effect on the way I surf/shop/live: ZERO.
dr. cliff's rating of this device's usefulness as delivered: ZERO.
Since I haven't smashed or disabled the scanner (yet!), I may try more things in the future. Maybe not.