QR codes - Basically, so cool I wet my pants.
  • October 2009
    QR Codes are a clever way to get information, into a mobile device, with a camera.

    You generate a code, display it on your site, or print it on a document, then when the user uses their camera to take a picture of it, the information is decoded, and action is taken.

    This action might be:
    - add or dial a phone number
    - go to an URL
    - send an SMS
    - send an email
    - navigate to a GPS location
    - display some text

    that last one is interesting, becasue it means we can use it for things like stock management, and to basically use it any way we want.

    i'm going to show you a clever way to use it, I put together an example that works in any ecommerce cart. in fact, it works on any website.

    paste this code into any page where it will be displayed ONLY ONCE
    [HTML] [/HTML]

    when you view the page, you'll get a link. if you click it, the current full url is sent to the google charts API, and creates a QR-Code. You may recognise this code. You'll have seen it on all sorts of promos, posters and packages.

    now, the fun part.

    if your mobile does not support it already (And some do), go here:
    http://reader.kaywa.com/

    and install their software. here is a compatibility list:
    http://reader.kaywa.com/phones

    A QR code reader is free for iphone and android mobiles too.

    use the reader and snapshot the code, it'll give you an option to go to that URL. What we did was, transfer the current page to your mobile. useful for when you want to leave your desk, or if you want to right click, and save the QRCODE for later use, to navigate to that page.

    Need to generate some clever QR codes, for your business card, or your contact page?
    http://zxing.appspot.com/generator/
    This page lets you generate your address too, so people can use their GPS based phones to find you easily.

    I got this working in Actinic and Interspire with a simple paste of the code. Where will you use it?
    :thumbsup:
     
  • GeorgeGeorge
     
    October 2009
    Is the image supposed to look like a dead space invader?
     
  • October 2009
    ...to show you how easy it was to integrate, i put it in the footer of this page.
     
  • October 2009
    [quote=george;4728]is the image supposed to look like a dead space invader?

    medic! Man down!
     
  • October 2009
    Bloody neat!! I'll definitely include it in a couple of my sites just for the cool factor.
     
  • DarrenDarren
     
    October 2009
    me too i have already not sure what the hell its going to be used for but hey its cool :cool:
     
  • Mark HMark H
     
    October 2009
    :) :)
     
  • October 2009
    image
     
  • DarrenDarren
     
    October 2009
    image
     
  • DarrenDarren
     
    October 2009
    is this like them pictures you stare at long enough you start to see something
     
  • DarrenDarren
     
    October 2009
    ermmm does anyone have a phone or mobile device that can see if they work? i dont have one :D
     
  • malbromalbro
     
    October 2009
    Darren said:
    ermmm does anyone have a phone or mobile device that can see if they work? i dont have one :D
    You can get a PC version from here http://www.quickmark.com.tw. 2D codes have been in use in Industry for several years now to record information on component parts to provide traceability, but until recently readers have been very expensive (several hundreds) but the QR version of 2D Code seems to be driving prices down and about time too.

    EDIT
    Here is another one, it includes a decode/encode sample but is more for techies
    http://twit88.com/platform/projects/show/messagingtoolkit

    Here is the content of your code using the quickmark software

    http://kitesrus.co.uk/acatalog/index.html

    and here is my business card
     
  • DarrenDarren
     
    October 2009
    malbro said:
    You can get a PC version from here http://www.quickmark.com.tw. 2D codes have been in use in Industry for several years now to record information on component parts to provide traceability, but until recently readers have been very expensive (several hundreds) but the QR version of 2D Code seems to be driving prices down and about time too.


    I know we used them in the automotive industry over 10 years ago, actually alot of cummins engines in the states sport them, it was a requirement for a particular diesel pump for them
     
  • October 2009
    Just seen these barcodes are on the pepsi max bottles for an offer of theirs
     
  • Mark HMark H
     
    October 2009
    They put them on advertising hoardings in Japan.....
     
  • October 2009
    Mark H said:
    They put them on advertising hoardings in Japan.....


    this one says: http://segasu.mobi

    i had to stretch it in photoshop :p
     
  • QuarmQuarm
     
    October 2009
    I'd love to understand what some screenshot from a 1980's version of space invaders is doing and why it's so cool. Is it like those stereo pictures i can't see either cos i'm blind in one eye?
     
  • October 2009
    This guy is using them for a dating business. He was on Dragons Den too
    the3gdatingagency.com

    This is pretty cool, but uses a different barcode
    shotcode.com
     
  • Mark HMark H
     
    October 2009
    Quarm said:
    I'd love to understand what some screenshot from a 1980's version of space invaders is doing and why it's so cool. Is it like those stereo pictures i can't see either cos i'm blind in one eye?


    We will be putting these in our paper (from PDF) brochures against each product, and on stickers on the side of the product boxes, because:

    • They look cool (most important :D).
    • Anyone with an enabled phone can scan them from the paper brochure, PDF file on screen, or the product box, and be taken straight to the product's page on the website where they can buy them with one click.


    The number of enabled phones in the UK is small now, but we think this will grow.
     
  • DarrenDarren
     
    October 2009
    Mark H said:


    The number of enabled phones in the UK is small now, but we think this will grow.


    Im sure it will catch on and i dont doubt this will work really well for some businesses - only time will tell
     
  • November 2009
    Heres a cool way to use those qr codes

    http://www.aboxlife.com/

    and a nice way to encourage reusing of boxes :)
     
  • November 2009
    These are very exciting.
    I've been staring at them on Pepsi Max cans for a few weeks now, my enquiring mind even going so far as to wonder what they were.
    I don't have a phone that will read them though, which is disappointing.
    However, I'm sure the more people see them about the place, the more they'll want to know what they are and how they work and therefore the more they will be become useful to both us and Joe Public. I was trying to work out how they could be immediately useful for us and I guess simply slapping a code (linking to the home page of a website) on each despatched item is a good start.
    Also, love the idea of tracking boxes.

    Gabe - what was the reasoning behind having the code display only once?
    Thanks for bringing it to our attention; I think this presents us with an opportunity to be ahead of the game for once - possibly even trendsetters :thumbsup:
     
  • GeorgeGeorge
     
    December 2009
    Has anyone had any success with this interesting wee thingy?


    Show us yours! (as they say!)
     
  • December 2009
    perhaps the most interesting i'v done so far, is to take some mobile shortcuts to sites and apps, and print them out. i set my qr code reader to a hotkey on my phone, and basically used the codes as my 'favourites'.

    it got boring quick.
    :o
     
  • GeorgeGeorge
     
    December 2009
    Gabriel to Mrs Crowe: Hey Mrs Crowe, watch this?


    *points reader to piece of paper "accidentally" found lying around*


    Mrs Crowe: Thats fucking amazing. No really, it is Gabriel. Oh, and the fish fingers are nearly ready. By the way, (sporting a cheeky wink) have the marbles arrived yet?


    You lead a hectic life dude.
     
  • DarrenDarren
     
    December 2009
    LMFAO

    i guess i show add this code to all my literature, oh hang on i dont have any:rolleyes:
     
  • GeorgeGeorge
     
    December 2009
    Maybe Actinic can get an option to add them to your invoices, like the tickbox option to add a company logo... oh!
     
  • Mark HMark H
     
    December 2009
    We're going to put them against each product in our PDF brochures so that the viewer can be taken straight to the product's page on our website.

    Hey I already said that.......
     
  • GeorgeGeorge
     
    December 2009
    Random Q, can a barcode* to that?





    *I know nothing about barcodes.
     
  • December 2009
    the difference between a qrcode and barcode, is that a qrcode can contain information, such as the URL.

    a barcode is only a reference number, that number points to the information, in a database someplace. usually connected to the device doing the scanning.
     
  • DarrenDarren
     
    December 2009
    FM Gabe were ya been?
     
  • December 2009
    Darren said:
    FM Gabe were ya been?


    Trying to find his marbles - boom boom :ROFL:
     
  • January 2010
    Here's and interesting read on how google may use barcodes in their Google Street view

    http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-10429372-265.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=Webware&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+webware+(Webware.com)

    So in the near future you may see instead of big POS in shop windows you may see just a barcode
     
  • January 2010
    Mobiles ads has to be on the horizon be it with street view or just by broadcasted location.

    I think I'll brand my personal QR code on my forehead before it becomes a requirement by big brother. Talk about facial recognition.
     
  • January 2010
    With Google buying Admob and Apple buying Quattro Wireless it's just around the corner!

    Love the joke btw Duncan!
     
  • Mark HMark H
     
    March 2010
    Wow that really will bring QR codes into the mainstream :D

    They'll be on our website in a couple of months so bring it on.......
     

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