QR (Quick Response) codes

What is a QR (Quick Response) code?

Wikipedia: A QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a type of matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) first designed for the automotive industry. More recently, the system has become popular outside of the industry due to its fast readability and comparatively large storage capacity. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be made up of any kind of dat These are barcodes but for any type of information you would like to generate for them. If you’ve ever seen an image that looks something like this:
qr-barcode

qr-barcode

Then you’ve seen a QR Barcode. They require specific applications in order to decode them into the information that was intended to be put into this scattered mess of black dots. For instance this one decoded will read:
E-Paynow.com’s, eWebsite  Services is a complete web presence solution, offering domain name registration, web page design, monthly hosting, and e-Commerce solutions. Phone: (925) 785-8581 E-Mail: support@ewebsiteservices.com

How can QR codes be used?

The possibilities for what one of these images can include is probably much more then you can imagine. They are great to put on websites to allow a visitor to view a video or retrieve contact information about your business. Flyers or brochures to take the reader straight to a website, article, or further piece of information on their smartphone. Why not put one of these on an e-mail signature instead of line after line of contact information including a website, e-mail, phone number, name, fax number, or any other types of contact methods that someone would have to either copy and paste or type in into somewhere when they can simple download the image or scan in and get everything at once.

If your a real estate agent just stick a huge QR code up on a for sale sign instead of using up even more space with a bunch of contact information.

Where can I get an application to decode a QR code?

For any type of smartphone with a type of market such as the Droid Market or Apple Store there are a various amount of applications that can be used to decode or save one of these images onto your phone or e-mail it to a computer for decode. I have a droid phone and I’ve tested a few of these applications but the one that I like best is QR Droid. It’s free and has been able to do everything that I’ve needed an application to do in terms of decoding or saving a QR image to reveal the secrets it’s hiding.

There are also a few websites where QR codes can be decoded

How can I make a QR code?

There are a few websites where you can generate a free QR code by searching Google. A few websites are Once all the required information has been entered generating the image is a click away. The image is generated in a PNG image format and may be saved straight from the website to be inserted into anything.