Cruisers Forum

Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: aimee on September 06, 2011, 02:34:45 pm

Title: QR Codes
Post by: aimee on September 06, 2011, 02:34:45 pm
How many of you know what these are?

(http://qrcode.kaywa.com/img.php?s=8&d=http%3A%2F%2Fphoenixusarv.com%2F)
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: pyrthkr on September 06, 2011, 03:23:20 pm
I do - but either don't have a smart enough phone or aren't smart enough myself... :cool
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: Barry-Sue on September 06, 2011, 03:58:09 pm
It is a URL we all know.  Now what's the prize?
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: TomHanlon on September 06, 2011, 04:17:38 pm
I got it to. Already had it on my smart phone.
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: mciai2000 on September 07, 2011, 12:16:47 pm
Well I have an expensive mh but am too cheap to buy a smart phone.. Does that make sense?? Therefore, I can't use the QR code.... roflol

DJM

Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: kevin on September 07, 2011, 05:12:54 pm
I know what they are.

I don't have a cell phone....smart or stupid

kevin

Hey aimee, did Amanda send you my PC pics?
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: Ron Dittmer on September 09, 2011, 11:05:39 am
Well I have an expensive mh but am too cheap to buy a smart phone.. Does that make sense?  DJM
It makes perfect sense to me.

My cell is a basic phone and I don't text either.  By the way, I worked for Motorola until this year when the company split in two.  Now I am disconnected from the cell phone portion.

Another reference to my lack of interest in pay-for technical advancements would be when we first got cable TV......2004 and then only with the least amount of channels, the basic/basic service.  We got it only because it was cheaper than getting high speed internet service by itself, a package deal.  We since have switched to another carrier and cancelled all services, but the cable-TV still works so we still have cable.
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: TomHanlon on September 09, 2011, 01:09:17 pm
Aimee, we are waiting to find out why you asked about the QR codes? Are you planning something?
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: mciai2000 on September 09, 2011, 09:31:06 pm
Patience Tom....

That brings me to my next question Tom>  Why are retired people so impatient?? roflol

DJM
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: aimee on September 09, 2011, 10:44:05 pm
 roflol DJM

Tom, I'm planning to begin implementing QR codes in advertising and literature, but the bosses weren't sure if anyone knows how to use them or what they are. 

I do appreciate you guys helping me out, and I'm sorry to have left you hanging a few days. We've had an absolutely exhausting week here personally, and one of my clients had an emergency and I've been helping as much as I can.
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: TomHanlon on September 10, 2011, 09:05:51 am
Patience Tom....

That brings me to my next question Tom>  Why are retired people so impatient?? roflol

DJM

Because we have nothing better to do, except gripe about everything. 2o2

I just got my Cabela's catalog and it is full of the QR codes. They are the latest hot thing.
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: aimee on September 10, 2011, 03:45:04 pm
 2o2  The last couple of years or so they were mostly used for cool hidden secret messages, underground events, super crazy coupon sales or offers, or even I've seen some scavenger hunts.  Lately more advertisers are starting to appreciate the power of them, and I figure they have at least another year or two shelf life on them before we move on to the next latest and greatest.
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: mciai2000 on September 10, 2011, 08:51:42 pm
@ Tom:  Thanks for seeing the humor in my queston.

@Aimee:  Our insurance carriers and my advertising agency are all over me to start using the qr codes in our advertising and they even want me to have poster size qr codes in my office windows!!  Boy, times do change fast.

DJM
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: JackD on September 17, 2011, 12:17:58 pm
Aimee --- I think most everyone knows them, or at least will, soon --- most all of the catalogs and even our little newspaper in Queenstown has them.  However, because I, like others, am too cheap to add the data package to my cell, I don't use!!!

Best,
Jack
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: aimee on September 17, 2011, 05:13:33 pm
(http://qrcode.kaywa.com/img.php?s=8&d=Barry%20Sue%20knows%20how%20to%20generate%20QR%20Codes.%20Congrats%20on%20the%20cleverest%20answer.%20I%20agree%20this%20could%20be%20fun.%20%3A-%29)
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: Barry-Sue on September 17, 2011, 09:56:20 pm
Cool

Thanks
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: Ron Dittmer on September 18, 2011, 04:22:05 am
Aimee --- I think most everyone knows them, or at least will, soon --- most all of the catalogs and even our little newspaper in Queenstown has them.  However, because I, like others, am too cheap to add the data package to my cell, I don't use!!!  Best,  Jack
I never heard of them until this subject posting.  I still don't understand how they are used, and what the advantage is to use them.
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: aimee on September 19, 2011, 01:33:07 pm
Ron,

QR Codes have been used in the automotive industry (I'm thinking Toyota, but I may be wrong) for close to 20 years now, but several years back they became popular with smartphone users because of their ability to be very quickly scanned.

I think they seemed to rise to the public consciousness because of the "easter egg" factor.  Before they were wildly popular, someone could leave a secret message in plain site (invite to a party, opening to a new club, etc.) right out in front of everyone, and only those with the app to decode them could read the message. Think back to the decoder rings in the cereal box days. There was a definite cool factor.

While they are still used for that--sometimes stores (especially in certain neighborhoods) will offer very steep discounts, or a hidden message to their customers using them--marketers have now picked up on the cool factor and it's a great way to get a lot of information in a small amount of space. 

Some of the things I use them for with my clients:

I have a client who does limousine service to the NJ and NY airports. He has one-page "business card" site (basically an one-page site containing basic information that a business card would) A small QR code on each of his vehicles allows his clients to scan it, be taken to a screen in their browser which prompts them to save his business card site to their phone. Many of his clients use him several times per month. Now they can tap the icon on their home screen, and be directed to his mobile page, which gives them phone numbers, etc.

I have a client who is a small Italian sandwich shop in NJ. A small QR code on his menus, mailers, and door directs his customers to his mobile site where they can view the menu, see his hours, call for delivery, etc. They also have the option to save a direct icon on their home screen to go there (handy for office managers near him who may be using him frequently).

One of my clients has a QR code on his business card.  Business cards get lost, but the QR code has his basic contact information so that they can save his phone number in their phones and contact him when they need him.

I noticed on TV the other day, Android had a QR code that flashed for just one frame.  When I paused and scanned it, it was for a scavenger hunt.  You had to have an android phone to participate though, and I didn't but I did think it was brilliant.

I have a friend who uses them to mark sections of her flower gardens. She keeps notes in her phone, and each scan takes her directly to that plant's information page, etc.

My cable company puts them on my bill, and clicking on them tells me what's onDemand this month.

There are a lot of possibilities to engage your audience instead of them ignoring your ad.  They want to read the secret message.
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: Ron Dittmer on September 19, 2011, 02:09:26 pm
Aimee,

Thanks for the detailed explaination with many different examples.  That does sound like a great tool for marketing and other data sharing.  How does a person scan the code using their phone?  I assume only certian phones can utilize the data via internet connection.  Is it a software application utilizing the phone's camera?

My phone is a simple one with camera and internet, but I don't text or get on-line with it to control expenditures.  Like everyone else, I pick and choose how my money is spent.  It just has not been a priority for me yet.  Maybe that will change after the last of our kids becomes independant.
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: gl1500 on September 20, 2011, 02:00:24 am
So we know Barry Sue knows how to generate bar codes. 
Scanned with my Droid phone.
       Bob
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: aimee on September 20, 2011, 03:34:11 pm
Excellent!

If anyone wants to play around, this site is quick and easy: http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ (http://qrcode.kaywa.com/)

Cheers!
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: Barry-Sue on September 20, 2011, 04:13:28 pm
How is this one?
Title: Re: QR Codes
Post by: aimee on September 20, 2011, 08:29:33 pm
Excellent!  :-)