I remember when funny little black and white rectangles started appearing on products in the grocery store. Today, we are all accustomed to those bar codes. We know that the pattern of black lines contains information and that a special scanner is needed to read that information.
Now, we are beginning to see a different pattern. This one is square, with the area being filled with a small squares of black and white.Welcome to QR codes. “QR” stands for “Quick Response.”
What does a QR code do?
When you scan a QR code with a special reader, the most common result is that it takes you directly to a website. That website may then give additional information or show you a video. However, the QR code can be used to make a phone call or create an pre-formatted email.
The thing that is making QR codes grow in popularity is the ability to download a reader to your smartphone. Then, when you see a QR code in a magazine you are reading, on a flyer taped to a store window, or on a piece of promotional material, you can scan the code and see the additional information.
In the next three posts, you will learn how to do each of the following:
- Download a QR code reader to your smartphone.
- Create your own QR codes.
- Implement QR codes in a practical way.
Tim
April 18, 2011 11:17 amI am particularly interested in the uses of QR codes. All I can add to this currently is that I have begun to use QR codes in strategic places while geocaching. They are a great way to leave unobtrusive hints in places that it was otherwise impossible to do so.
I’m also planning on having a contact info QR code printed and attached to my school ID. An easy way to share my contact info with people I meet when I run out of business cards.
Dr. Frank Buck
April 18, 2011 1:09 pmTim,
A QR code with your contact info on the back of your school ID sounds like a winner. I made a QR code for my contact info, saved as a JPG, and imported it into the photo collection on my BlackBerry. So, anybody can use their phone to scan it from my phone and I am automatically in their contacts.
The posts for Wednesday and Friday are also going to be about QR codes. Monday of next week will conclude the series with some practical suggested uses. You have just given me one to add to the list!
Storm Bunny
April 19, 2011 3:44 pmCertain countries, such as Costa Rica, have been using the QR codes on documents such as the ID document and the passport (in Costa Rica the ID document isn’t the same as the driving license. This way there’s no difference regarding means to identify oneself whether one can drive or not). In the past all your information was on the ID, and anyone could read it. Now only authorized organizations can.
I’d love to know more about these codes and their uses.
Dr. Frank Buck
April 19, 2011 3:54 pmIn the US, we are starting to see them a great deal in magazines. You may be looking at an ad, but then when you scan the QR code with your smartphone, you might be looking at a video of the product on the phone.