Kathy Szigeti, University of Waterloo
A QR Code is a specific barcode readable by camera phones. They can be used to display text to the user, to add a vCard contact to the user’s device, to open a URI or to compose an email or text message. QR codes can provide useful content at the time of need.
They are being implemented by businesses and libraries.
I will show how libraries use the code and specifically a pilot project that we at uWaterloo would like to implement.
Here is why I think this is innovative:
The “ACRL 2010 top ten trends in academic libraries” predicts “explosive growth of mobile devices and applications will drive new services.” The widespread use of QR codes could surely be a part of that.
The blockquote is from C&RL News. QR codes and academic libraries: Reaching mobile users. By Robin Ashford. http://crln.acrl.org/content/71/10/526.full. The quote within it is from: ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee, “2010 top ten trends in academic libraries: A review of the current literature,” C&RL News 71, 6 (June 2010): 286–92.
4. Tweedledum and
Tweedledee
Agreed to have a
battle;
For Tweedledum
said Tweedledee
Had spoiled his
nice new rattle.
Just then flew
down a monstrous
crow,
As black as a tar-
barrel;
Which frightened
both the heros so,
They quite forgot
their quarrel.
Kathy Szigeti
Hi I’m Kathy Szigeti from uWI am here to describe QR codes; what are they? How are they generated? And How are they read and used?Then I will show you examples , including library use.For more and better detail:College & Research Libraries News article: http://crln.acrl.org/content/71/10/526.full Educause; about QR codes: http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7046.pdf
This is a conventional one dimensional Barcode. A printed machine-readable code that consists of parallel bars of varied width and spacing. The application most commonly observed is the coding on food and other goods that is read at the checkout and translated into a line of print on the bill showing product and cost. The information is also used to update stock records and provide sales statistics.The advantage of bar codes is that they can be produced and read by relatively simple equipment. Two-dimensional (2D) bar codes, e.g. PDF417, are becoming more common but do require a special reader. PDF417 is a two-dimensional bar code that can store up to about 1800 printable ASCII characters or 1100 binary characters per symbol. The symbol is rectangular; the dimensions can be adjusted to grow with the data. There is no theoretical limit on the amount of data that can be stored in a group of PDF–417 symbols.How to cite this entry:"bar code" A Dictionary of Computing. Ed John Daintith and Edmund Wright. Oxford University Press, 2008. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. University of Waterloo. 15 April 2011 <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t11.e325>
-1D barcode contain 10 data characters. -capitalization and adding more characters will increase its width-here is a 2D stacked barcodeData is encoded in both the horizontal and vertical dimensions. As more data is encoded the size of the barcode can be increased in both the horizontal and vertical directions thus maintaining a managable shape for easy scanning. How to cite this entry:"bar code" A Dictionary of Computing. Ed John Daintith and Edmund Wright. Oxford University Press, 2008. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. University of Waterloo. 15 April 2011 <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t11.e325>When are 1D barcodes better than 2D?Although 1D barcodes hold a smaller amount of data it is 'spread' over the whole height of the barcode. The barcode contains a high degree of redundancy. This means the barcode can be read even with considerable degradation. If your application needs only a few characters (up to about 15) then a 1D barcode is probably the best solution. Increasing the height of a 1D barcode does not increase its capacity but it does increase its redundancy thus making it more resistant to degradation and obliteration and making it easier to scan. (http://www.barcodeman.com/faq/2d.php)
By contrast, a QR code is a matrix barcode—see these different typesHere is the QR code (note the 3 squares in the corners).A QR code is a matrix barcode readable by smartphones and mobile phones with cameras.They are sometimes referred to as 2d codes, 2d barcodes, or mobile codes. QR codes can hold much more information than a regular barcode. The information encoded in a QR code can be a URL, a phone number, an SMS message, a V-card, or any text. By the way, QR stands for quick response.They are referred to as QR because they allow the contents to be decoded at high speed. QR codes were developed in 1994 by Denso-Wave, a Toyota subsidiary.
How do you generate or create a QR code?There are a couple of options—--this option is a generator found on the web-they do differ a bit—some let you encode only a URL—some let you modify colours, that type of thingGoogle for any generatorText; URL; Call; SMS; vCardDownload & saveOptions:colour, margin, encodingEmbed
Another option to use to generate QR codes is with a browser pluginCan get qr code generator plugins for IE, FF, and Chrome*****So how do I use these things?
Use the app storeHow do I set up my phone to use QR codes?Most newer cell phones with a camera are able to capture QR codes. You will need to install free barcode scanning software on your phone such as: Download i-nigma readerFromApp Store - Download from: Apple App Store, Android Market or BlackBerry App World.By SMS(Canada) - Text the word barcode to: 393939. You will receive back an SMS containing a link to the i-nigma download site. From Mobile Web - Go to www.i-nigma.mobi on your mobile. I-nigma will automatically identify your handset type, download and install i-nigma. I mentioned QR codes can hold various types of information…The scanning software has different capabilities, functions…If you scan a URL, some software takes you immediately to the site whereas others ask what you want to doSome will dial the phone number ….
“To watch the Eee Slate in action, scan this QR code.”“Need a QR code reader? Download it free at SKUyou.com.”
What about libraries?Access & discoveryMundane—book study roomContact infoURLs for guides, exhibits, extra infoAutomatically goes to mobile site
University of Nebraska KearneyThis library contact card includes a QR Code which, once scanned, links to a mobile-version of the Ask Us 24-7 webpage. -offers IM, call, phone numbers; email, liaison directory, visit them ( library hours, map, ref desk hours)
West Virginia UniversityReserve a study room at the Evansdale Library
We want to try in Standards.NIST : Federal information processing standardsUW Davis. Reference Collection. Main Floor (Non-Circulating):REV. ED. 2-3 1990 Older issues:120,120.1,149-150,154-157
InexpensiveEasyNo special equipmentSmartphones are becoming ubiquitious.So why not??What about Libraries?Access & discoveryMundane—book study roomContact infoURLs for guides, exhibits, extra info
What we want to try: in StandardsNIST : Federal information processing standardsUW Davis. Reference Collection. Main Floor (Non-Circulating):REV. ED. 2-3 1990 Older issues:120,120.1,149-150,154-157