Update: QR Codes An Exciting Technology

The following information was gleaned at Rootstech 2012

class provided by Thomas Mac Entee

http://hidefgen.com 

Still A Viable Technology  

Smart phones and digital technology have created another wonderful family history application. Picture this, you come upon the gravesite of a person who might possibly be an ancestor. It has a QR code embedded in it, such as the one above. You place your smart phone against the QR code and it delivers the story of the ancestor buried there.

QR Code stands for “quick response code” and is much like the bar codes we’ve become used to seeing on our packaged foods at the grocery store as well as any retail item. A QR code works in much the same way – it can be scanned and deliver to the user a website, a document, or even a family tree or a biography of an ancestor.

When you think QR codes think “more” or “scan for more information.” The scanning process is performed with the camera built in to most smart phones or mobile devices. A special “app” (most if not all are free) reads the image from the camera and then uses the device’s web browser to display the information.

QR codes are becoming more popular because more and more people are using smart phones and devices to access information. These devices already have the tools needed for someone to access the information wtihin a QR code:

Of course there are numerous other applications: Place it on a poster or other media as an advertising purpose, put it on a business card, place it in a manual, in a book, on a website, and of course on a grave marker.

Generate Your Own QR

Now that you understand more about QRcCodes and their possible uses, you might want to generate your own. There are many websites and applications – again, most are free – which can take your URL or text and convert it into a QR code. A partial list of QR code generation apps and websites can be found in the Links section below.

QR Code Readers

BeeTagg
http://www.beetagg.com

Kaywa Reader
http://reader.kaywa.com

NeoReader
http://www.neoreader.com

QuickMark
http://www.quickmark.com.tw

QR Code Generators

http://www.eloops.com/

 

BeQRious
http://www.beqrious.com/generator

Delivr
http://delivr.com/qr-code-generator

Google Chart Tools – QR Code Generator
http://createqrcode.appspot.com

QR Generators List
http://qrmedia.us/qr-code-generators-list/

Top 10 Free Online QR Code Generators
http://freenuts.com/top-10-free-online-qr-code-generators/

ZXing Project
http://zxing.appspot.com/generator/

QR Code Uses – Business Cards

TEC-IT QR Code Business Cards
http://businesscards.tec-it.com

QR Code Uses - Conferences

QR Codes for Event Planners
http://www.ready2spark.com/2010/02/what-qr-codes-mean-for-special-events.html

QR Code Uses - Documents

TagMyDoc
http://tagmydoc.com

QR Code Uses - General

20 QR Code Tools and Uses
http://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/2854-20-QR-Code-Tools-and-Uses

QR Code Uses – Headstones & Memorials

Living Headstone™
http://www.monuments.com

QR Memorials
http://qrmemorials.com

Timeless Footsteps
http://www.timelessfootsteps.com

QR Code Uses - Libraries

Library Success Wiki
http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=QR_Codes

QR Code Uses – Historical Sites

GeoHistorian
http://www.rcet.org/geohistorian

QR Code Uses – Museums

QR Codes and Museums
http://www.museumnext.org/2010/blog/qr-codes-and-museums

QRpedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QRpedia

More - Basics of QR Codes Explained

		I have had people tell me they are a little confused about QR Codes - so here is a more detailed explanation. What are QR Codes And How Do They Work?
		Currently I am most excited about a QR Code attached to a headstone. The CR Code would send the smart phone to a website where the life history or genealogy info on the person is posted. There are companies that assist you in this, metal QR Code and install. I would be anxious for comments on other applications you might know of. Larry

		QR — or "quick response" — codes are two-dimensional barcodes capable of holding significantly more data than the traditional UPC barcode. They are a quick and convenient marketing tool used to transfer specific information to any smart phone or digital device with a camera and QR reader application.

		How QR Codes Can Help Businesses

		Information encoded in the QR code can link users to website URLs, a phone number, email and more. This versatility offers nearly unlimited applications ranging from sharing contact information or registering for an event to offering point-of-sale discounts, collecting email addresses, providing real time updates or even tracking ROI.

		Where to Use QR Codes

		Here are just a few examples: Tom Hooley Construction. Looking for a way to prompt immediate action, incorporated a QR code linked to his business phone into a vehicle wrap on his company truck, Scott’s phone hasn’t stopped ringing with positive feedback. America's Best Defense. In an effort to spark interaction with current and potential clients, added QR Codes to marketing pieces including window and door stickers, promotional banners and its website. “The QR codes have not only made things easier – they have also made things more interactive,” says owner Paul Garcia. To promote a month-long series of fashion and music events, Oakbrook Center mall put a QR code on floor signs to direct shoppers to more information about associated events and promotions. After a high success rate, Oakbrook Center added the QR code to other event literature and continues to see positive results.

		Top 5 Tips for Creating a QR Code

		Make it Valuable. Only a small percentage of smart phone users actually scan QR codes, so encourage your target audience to scan yours by offering something of value to them. Size Matters. The viewing distance will dictate how large the code should be. QR codes should never be smaller than one square inch. Keep it Simple. While you can incorporate branding, don't cover the corner blocks and remember, the more characters, the greater the chance for reader error. Don't Go Home. Don't link your QR code to your home page, and make sure wherever you send them is mobile-friendly. Test, Test, Test. Test your code on several different phone platforms and readers before producing.