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Getting my library cards onto my phone the hard way
101–110 of 181 posts
Re: Getting my library cards onto my phone the hard way
#102Ah I was planning to look into this, glad to hear it's possible to self-generate a pass. My gym requires subscribers to use their app-generated QR code for entry. I have been using the same QR screenshot for the past 2 years to avoid pulling up the app every time. But even the screenshot takes more time to find in Photos than I would like to.
That's what the built-in shortcut app is for. Have it open the photo on run. Add it to your home screen or lock screen as needed.
Re: Getting my library cards onto my phone the hard way
#103Earlier quoted context omitted.
This sort of system is really nice for visitors, tourists etc., though.
For a city you don't visit often--especially if you're going to a bunch of cities on the trip--dealing with transit apps/cards/etc. that are specific to the city is a royal pain. I'm fine if it's a city I visit regularly--I have an Oyster card for London that I've had for a number of years. In general, though, I'd rather default to using a credit card.
You can safely return that oyster card and get your deposit back now :D
I live in London and recently passed a convenience store whose signage advertised the usual stuff: "Fresh veg. Off licence. European specialty foods. Oyster". I was genuinely confused for a second that such a place would carry such short shelf life seafood...
Pre-pay card are gone here. The only people I know now who have an Oyster branded card are those who get discount or free travel.
Re: Getting my library cards onto my phone the hard way
#104Earlier quoted context omitted.
My local transit system just added tap-to-pay that works with any credit card (or Apple/Google Pay etc.). As long as you use the same card it handles transfers, multi-day passes, etc. seamlessly as well—it will automatically ensure you're getting the correct rate (e.g. no charge for passes or rides after a certain number within a certain period).
This system really sucks because you can't just slide your wallet over the reader. It'll pick up your cc before your transit pass. The move to do tap based transit with cc s is pretty stupid as that cc s get replace far more frequently than transit cards. The only person this really benefits is new users to the system that haven't figured out how to get a transit card yet.
> The only person this really benefits is new users to the system that haven't figured out how to get a transit card yet.
Nah. The end game here (as seen in NYC and London) is just getting rid of the transit card entirely. Which is a very positive thing, it’s an unnecessary extra layer of administration to keep track of the balance, top them up, etc etc.
Certainly as a New Yorker I’m very glad to be rid of my Metrocard. (though the new system costs $4 extra per month for unlimited travel which is BS and should be fixed)
Re: Getting my library cards onto my phone the hard way
#105Earlier quoted context omitted.
> The only person this really benefits is new users to the system that haven't figured out how to get a transit card yet. In many transit systems, that's millions of people per year: Tourists, occasional riders that would just forget the pass at home if they're not using it regularly etc. > This system really sucks because you can't just slide your wallet over the reader. It'll pick up your cc before your transit pas…
The digitization we've seen over the past couple of decades has mostly greatly improved the experience for regular users over tokens etc. It's also mostly between a pain and terrible for the occasional user like tourists. The systems are all different with often confusing menus of options, they may not even read the default language well, etc. Tapping a CC and javing the right thing happen is so much better.
It also more deeply tracks each individuals movement through the system to a higher level of fidelity than a disposable metro card that was paid with cash.
Re: Getting my library cards onto my phone the hard way
#106Ah I was planning to look into this, glad to hear it's possible to self-generate a pass. My gym requires subscribers to use their app-generated QR code for entry. I have been using the same QR screenshot for the past 2 years to avoid pulling up the app every time. But even the screenshot takes more time to find in Photos than I would like to.
That's what the built-in shortcut app is for. Have it open the photo on run. Add it to your home screen or lock screen as needed.
That's a great idea! I only recently started using shortcuts and haven't yet developed the habit of solving simple tasks with them.
Edit: works very well. Created a shortcut that opens a specific file from Files, and added it to the home screen with a custom icon.
Re: Getting my library cards onto my phone the hard way
#107The part of my article that caught my attention was the non-trivial bash script. I do write these myself from time to time, but when you see them it's always like, gah! [Shield your eyes]
Re: Getting my library cards onto my phone the hard way
#108Earlier quoted context omitted.
The digitization we've seen over the past couple of decades has mostly greatly improved the experience for regular users over tokens etc. It's also mostly between a pain and terrible for the occasional user like tourists. The systems are all different with often confusing menus of options, they may not even read the default language well, etc. Tapping a CC and javing the right thing happen is so much better.
It also more deeply tracks each individuals movement through the system to a higher level of fidelity than a disposable metro card that was paid with cash.
Cash in some form is usually still an option—possibly at the cost of a lot of convenience.
Re: Getting my library cards onto my phone the hard way
#109Earlier quoted context omitted.
For a city you don't visit often--especially if you're going to a bunch of cities on the trip--dealing with transit apps/cards/etc. that are specific to the city is a royal pain. I'm fine if it's a city I visit regularly--I have an Oyster card for London that I've had for a number of years. In general, though, I'd rather default to using a credit card.
You can safely return that oyster card and get your deposit back now :D I live in London and recently passed a convenience store whose signage advertised the usual stuff: "Fresh veg. Off licence. European specialty foods. Oyster ". I was genuinely confused for a second that such a place would carry such short shelf life seafood... Pre-pay card are gone here. The only people I know now who have an Oyster branded card…
I guess I’ll use it up and get my deposit next time I’m there. Actually looks like I can just get a refund.
Occurs to me Oyster may still make sense for travelers whose credit cards have foreign transaction fees.
Re: Getting my library cards onto my phone the hard way
#110This was a great blogpost, but then ends with: > I will note that I have not yet tested this pass in a real library yet I get this project was mostly for fun, but why not spend the 10 minutes it takes to test the final solution before sharing your work?
Library might not be open on a Saturday?
That’s a bigger problem than barcodes then.