Big Issue sellers could soon be flogging QR Codes

Glasgow-based INSP, which represents magazines distributed by the homeless, is planning to go digital - assuming it can raise enough cash to pay for some trials. The plan is to allow hard-up vendors to buy cards as well as copies of publications to flog; each card has a unique QR code permitting the bearer to download a …

[Anonymous Coward]

Sounds likes a good idea however you pay your money to some poor sod just trying to make a few bob flogging the BI, the download doesn't work for some technical reason. The seller then has to either hand over a paper copy or give the money back based on trusting the word of the buyer.

[Anonymous Coward]

Being controversial and expecting a down vote record I would like to pose a question?

Is is due to the fact that most Big Issue sellers that I see are unable to speak English?

Please attack now.

[Nick Pettefar]

Never come across this and I have bought plenty.

Troll alert?

[aBloke FromEarth]

I think this would be relevant here

http://picturesofpeoplescanningqrcodes.tumblr.com/

[Azzy]

This would help that business model

Around where I am, we have a magazine called "Spare Change" sold by the local homeless alcoholics. As far as I can tell, the articles were written by homeless alcoholics too, and are often entirely incoherent. It's like giving a buck to someone begging, only instead of listening to him rambling nonsensically, you get a printed copy.

At least if they sold magic QR cards, we could get a publication that might be worth reading.

[LinkOfHyrule]

Just thought of a new angle on this...

As well as flogging the Big Issue, how about the sellers also flog QR codes that enable the downloading of porno mags. It saves the embarrassment of buying the physical version, you simple wink at the seller when you hand over the cash and he then presents you with a QR code from "under the counter" as it were.

I know its a shit idea but this is the publishing business were talking about here and it thrives on really shit ideas and bollocks business models!

[Nick Pettefar]

Something to hold

I much prefer holding a magazine, book or newspaper (apart from getting grubby fingers) than my heavy iPad 3. You can read it, stuff it into your bag or pocket to read later, read it in the bath, on the beach, tear interesting bits out, give it to your mate/partner, write in the margins, whack wasps with it and probably other uses too.