Entering the Digital Era: QR Codes for, Well, Everything

I was born for the digital era. I LOVE technology gadgets. I know you can't tell that by the number of posts on here about software programs and applications, but really I do. So when I started seeing square blobs of digital designs showing up, well, everywhere, I got curious. Seeing one on a piece of paper hung like a flyer on a bulletin board was the last straw. It was like some secret club sign that I hadn't been let in on. I had to know what it was and what it meant.

Scan this to connect with me on Twitter

When I found out,
I felt like a kid in a 31-flavor ice cream shop. I'm talking about QR codes--square barcode images with embedded code that hold content (like the better known barcodes found on commercial products) and that also act like gateways to larger information sources such as Internet sites, videos, podcasts, photographs, blogs, business cards, etc. Here's an example:

This: is equivalent to this:  

Image from:  http://onwired.com/portfolio/linda-stanley-business-cards/

Once the coded image is created it remains unchanged (great for long term use in a variety of places). The information or content the image gates to can change as often as you need it to. This replaces paper copies for a multitude of things, thereby saving trees and doing our part to help the environment.



For example, lets say you create a web page to publish your book tour events schedule. You advertise it by sending flyers and Public Relations (PR) notices out to multiple venues. Rather than having to constantly update all of your printed marketing material as your schedule changes, create a QR code for your website landing page, and print the QR code on your flyers. When your event schedule changes, your print advertisements are still viable. Can you imagine how easy it would be to generate more traffic for your events or Internet sites? Put a copy of your website QR code on your book jacket, on all print marketing pages, on your email signature block, on your social media sites, and every other place you have web content. Heck, tattoo it on your body. Better: pay other people to be walking advertisements by tattooing it on their bodies (you could always use non-permanent but long-lasting ink transfers).

[What if we tattooed Alzheimer's and Dementia patients with QR codes that linked to their caretaker's phone number? Or tattooed links to our medical records on our wrist or ankle when traveling?--But I digress...]

All you need to begin using QR codes as information gateways is a simple barcode/QR code reader/scanner application that can be downloaded and used - normally at NO COST - on most smartphones. Do a quick search via your phone, or on the web. Use the following terms: QR codes, barcodes, barcode scanners, QR code scanners...

Software that lets you create or generate your own QR code image and content (and generally stores the content online for you at NO COST) can be found in numerous places on the internet and is also usually FREE to use. These software applications are commonly called QR Code Generators. Try searching the following terms as well as the ones above: QR code generators, barcode generators, create QR codes.

In addition, at least one iPhone application purports to let you create your own QR code, create and embed your content, store it in your phone, scan other QR codes, and store contact information scanned from "business card" content QR codes directly to your phone's address book--all from the same smartphone application, without having to be redirected to a web page. It's possible this application is available for the Android and Blackberry Markets, but since I found it by searching the iPhone App Store using my phone I'll have to do some research to know. I want to try it out personally before I suggest it to you by name, so you'll have to catch my future post on my picks for QR Code Reader/Scanners and QR code Generator software to learn more.

For more background information on QR codes, check out the following:

• Marc Lyne does a great job of giving background on what they are and why you need one here. 
• Mark Sprague expands on Lyne's article here, providing (among other things) a long list of how  various industries and individuals are making use of QR codes. Of especial interest to writers and readers alike [from the article]: " Editoras Online published a book that contained nothing but QR codes (no text what so ever) that when decoded provided content about love and hate."

Have you used QR codes? What was your experience? What are some of your favorite uses for QR codes?

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE, YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY THE FOLLOWING:

Maye's QR Code Presentation for Midwest Writers Workshop 2012 (#MWW12)
My Picks for QR Code Generation Software
Social Media Lab at Midwest Writers Workshop 2012

My Pick for Screenwriting Software: Celtx

Tools for Writers: The Benefits of Writing With Scrivener
An eSolution for Character Creation: Character Writer
Where to Timeline and Storyboard: eSolutions
eSolutions for Social Media Addictions
For a Better Quality Break Time: Creativity Enhancing Goodies