Fun with QR Code

Take a look at the image below.

It doesn’t make any sense does it?? Now save this image in your computer and try to decode the information embedded in it. Just go to this link, use the browse option to upload the image and press submit query. What do you see?? Do you see a twitter link? Follow us.

The image above is called a QR code short for Quick Response code. It is a 2D barcode that can store up to 250 characters. Created by a Japanese corporation, it’s widely used in Japan and many other countries for commercial shipment tracking. It’s even used on billboard signs for advertising, visiting cards and to embed just about any information that people might be interested in.  Now you might be wondering how people decode the information embedded in the QR code. There is an application for mobile phone devices that can take a picture of the QR code and decode it instantly. If an url is embedded in the QR code then you will be automatically redirected to the url. This is known as ‘hardlinking’ or ‘physical world hyperlinking’ where you embed urls in physical world objects.

These days QR code is used for promotional purposes. Advertisers put QR codes in print media and signs to direct people to their product webpage. Bands put QR codes on the back of their CD cover to give the audience a preview of their songs or purchase concert tickets.

So, QR code is a quick and efficient way of conveying information to people. People can just take a snapshot of the QR code image and go through the details later. There is no need to hurriedly note down a URL of website, or try to remember the phone number from a sign which you will eventually forget. Just take a snap and you will have all the information you need.

You can create your own QR code here: !!

QR code for advertising

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Author:RSB