Posts Tagged ‘barcode’

QR Codes

QR Codes are basically just another type of bar code, but they’re cooler for a few reasons,

  • There’s no license to use them. From Wikipedia: “The use of the QR Code is free of any license. The QR Code is clearly defined and published as ISO standard. Denso Wave owns the patent rights on QR Code, but has chosen not to exercise them.”
  • Most smartphone have an app to decode them, and if the text is a url, the app can usually get you to the site quickly.
  • You can easily make them from a number of web apps, such as the one @ qrcode.kaywa.com
  • The codes themselves look pretty cool and iconic.

qr code for ekk.io

I first noticed them on FastCompany.com, where authors used QR codes to link to their articles page. The practice has since stopped and was pretty stupid to begin with, as the codes are really only valuable in physical setting; it’s still much easier to click a link when your in a web browser (yea, I do realize that’s exactly what I did above, but that’s more for demo purposes rather than accessibility). More recently, I’ve noticed them on Freelancers Union posters in the subway.

There many be a number of other potential uses. I met someone a while back who was, for whatever reason, focused on eliminating business cards and providing a digital means by which people could swap info. Not unheard of, but I really don’t think you can simplify a business card transaction with any great success – it’s already pretty damn simple. However, attaching a QR Code could be a good way of allowing someone to quickly get a digital copy of what’s printed on the card.

On a side note, it would also be awesome to see QR Code graffiti popping up one day.