Update in 2011: It's a year since I wrote the post, below, and I'm finally diving deeper into QR Codes. Learn all about Using QR Codes in Desktop Publishing (including how to make those really pretty ones).
Have you heard of QR Codes for business cards? I only just learned about them last week in a tweet by @chrisspooner. (they just slipped under my radar all this time) A recent dzineblog post features 20 Business Cards that incorporate a QR Code in a variety of fun ways and describes what they are. In short, QR stands for Quick Response. It's a type of barcode (you can create them online) that looks like a close-up of a bitmappy graphic.
The code is meant to be read by smartphones using QR readers. The codes represent text of your choice, including your Web page address if you want. About.com Google Guide Marziah Karch has some details on QR Codes (along with the QR Code for her site).
The codes can go in many places, not just business cards. The qurify.com site suggests posters, flyers, products, and even on your books and CDs. Seems like something I want to try out so I downloaded the free i-nigma reader to my iPhone then headed over to qurify.com to get a QR code for this web site.
Scan that QR code, above, with your phone and you'll end up (can you guess?) right here on the mobile version of this site.
- Using Quick Response Codes to Boost Business (About.com Entrepreneurs)
- Using QR Codes for Real Estate (About.com Real Estate Business)
- Google Promotes Place Pages in Shop Windows (PCWorld)
- 5 Unique Uses for QR Codes (Mashable)