The May issue of the New Era magazine contains several quick-response (QR) codes that, when scanned with a barcode application on a smartphone, take you directly to videos, articles, and websites.
For example, on page 3, there is a QR code that takes you to the video of President Monson’s address from the Sunday morning session of general conference.
- Did you find these QR codes helpful?
- Do you think the magazines should continue to use them?
- What suggestions do you have to make them more helpful?
One way to access the URL for a QR code when using a PC or laptop is be sure you have the right scanner software installed, usually free, and a webcam, all you have to do is scan the code in the magazine, and it should take you right to the video or whatever the QR code is linked to.
This is a great idea. I would be very interested in hearing how well it was received.
So you need a smart phome or some other peice of “fine twined linen” to use this. Just a little “grinding on the face of the poor”?
I love QR codes, but have only recently become a smart phone owner. I know it can scan things, but I’m not sure how to do it (even though I know how to create the QR codes themselves). Did you happen to include a tutorial for readers who might need a little help getting started in learning how to scan them? If not, it’s something to consider for the next time around.
RuthAnn,
There is a short tutorial on the back cover of that New Era. Do those instructions seem clear?
Larry
Larry,
Thank you. Yes, it’s incredibly simple. I didn’t know I needed to download an app to use the QR scanner. I will be downloading one shortly.
RuthAnn Hogue
For those unfamiliar with QR codes, here’s a cool page with lots of information on how they work and how to use them strategically for your group or business.
http://203.148.253.29/mblog/category/qr-codes/
This one is better, http://www.beqrious.com/ and it has a lot of news on how these are used. The main page you’ll see first has a large ad for a service, but go to the top and look for ‘QR News’ and click on that and you’ll see all kinds of things about them. They have a free generator to make your own. If one doesn’t seem to work right, just google for ‘QR code generator’ and you’ll find enough to be able to get one to work for your needs. http://www.zxing.com/ (Zebra Crossing) is a really good one, also works if you need to make other types of barcodes and read them.
iPads and tablets with a camera will work as well as the smartphones. The reason for this is the barcode software reads the picture you took of a QR code. You don’t have to have it square on your phone’s screen either, you can have it slanted in the camera viewfinder so it is at an angle such as being rotated to the left or right, or even upside down. Can be useful in getting them if they are at such an angle it is impossible to get a straight-on shot. Especially so in stores, etc.
You can even take a picture of a code on someone else’s smartphone! Just be sure there’s no glare, so you can store a few QR codes that link to things you would like to share easily, just pull it up, and the other person takes a picture with the smartphone, and he’s got the site or whatever.