What Are QR Codes?

You've probably seen them around. They're printed on packages, passed around as stickers, and incorporated into magazines and even some newspapers. The QR Code.

If you have a smart phone, and that phone has an application to read QR codes, you can scan this code (think of it as a newer version of a UPC code), and it will take you to a website. This particular code will take you to the APOD site. (NASA's APOD Site)

That's it. In the simplest of terms, a QR code ("QR" stands for "Quick Response," by the way.) is like a UPC code that takes you to a website. Some people have used QR codes for interesting things. I've seen QR codes on movie posters that take you to the trailer, codes to take you to the nutritional information page of a food product, and even creative resumes that link to videos.

So, as you can see, QR codes can be very interesting when used properly, and there are lots of free QR code generating websites out there.

Practical Tip of the Day:
While most QR codes for restaurants simply take you to their main website, every once in awhile you'll find a QR code that gives you a coupon! Nothing quite like waiting in line to order your food and finding a 10% discount right there for you. Keep in mind, you do need a smart phone (a phone that can run programs like a computer) to be able to scan QR codes, but if you already have one, get scanning! You'll never know what you'll find.