The Strange World of QR Codes

A QR code is a code that is made up of black squares arranged on a white background in a certain order. This arrangement of squares is surrounded by a white border to ensure the code is read correctly and that it is isolated from the surrounding text and images. In essence it is a two-dimensional barcode that can be scanned by various devices such as mobile phones (specifically 'smart' phones).
These codes are used to convey information such as URLs, contact details, links to websites and so on. This information is embedded in the code. QR codes can be read by any smart phones that have barcode or code readers installed. All you have to do is take a picture of the code with your phone and you will be sent or directed to the information that is embedded in the code.

These little codes are fascinating things! There is so much information that can be conveyed in any one single code.

Qr have become quite popular and very common in advertising. Even the local pizza restaurant has one on their menu! I myself had added a QR code onto my business card to make contacting me simpler and more efficient. I must admit, many people don’t actually know what a QR code is. his isn't uncommon. I didn’t even know what the thing was called when I first saw one! Now that I do actually know what it’s called, I make sure all my friends and family know what they are and how to use them if they ask me what that ‘funny looking thing’ on my business card is. These explanations sometimes get quite entertaining!

QR codes have to be generated. There are many free QR code generators out there on the web. All you have to do is search for a free QR code generator and many options will come up in the search results.

QR codes don’t always have to be boring in black and white; there are many other options for colours and designs. The easiest codes to read (on the majority of code readers) is, however, the black and white version. The more information you want to include in a QR code, the denser and smaller the squares become.
The QR code was actually invented in 1994 by DENSO WAVE for internal manufacturing processes. So this technology is not new as such. However, its use in advertising is more recent. Advertising using a QR code is somewhat of a gimmick, but is a useful addition in marketing and allows people to get the information they need quickly and in one place.
Strange places that I have seen a QR code being used include on the inside of my laptop’s DVD drive and on the packaging for software CDs shipped with my laptop. You can read about other strange uses of the QR code in the article 'Weird, Fun, Crazy, Interesting QR Codes' by clicking on the following linkhttp://www.themobilists.com/2011/07/25/weird-fun-crazy-interesting-qr-codes/.

Below is the QR code for my own website that will direct to www.loveoflanguage.co.za.