Henry StaplesJudy FunderburkMary Van Dyke

27 February 2013

Virginia Cooperative ExtensionMaster Gardeners of Northern Virginia

QR CODES IN THE GARDEN

What are QR Codes? Quick Response• A matrix barcode, successor to the grocery-based

UPC code

• Packs more information links

• Several competing formats. The square with 3 distinctive corner squares has become prevalent

Why use QR codes in a garden?• Provides more info on a sign

• Saves resources on expensive signage

• Appeals to a new set of gardeners – builds community

Which scanner app can I put on my phone?

• Popular barcode scanning appswith Google Play links• Android• Barcode Scanner• i-nigma • RedLaser

• Apple iOS• i-nigma• RedLaser

How to create a QR Code?•Go to a QR Generator – e.g. Qrstuff.com1. Find your URL (internet address)2. Copy URL3. Go back to the QR Code

Generator site4. Paste in your URL5. There you are!

URL Shorteners goo.gl, bitly.com, qrstuff.com

Rutabagas http

://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/rutabaga.html

Which will be easierFor a phone to read?

What size should my QR Code be?•One inch size QR Code for every foot of reading distance

Choices?

• Educational aspect? What do you want to convey?• Affordability?•Durability?• Color?• Black & White?•Metal Holders – sizes, L x H 5x3, 5x4, 7x5, 11 x 7 • “Paper” e.g. polyester Xerox Never Tear - $55 for 100 sheets• Print – size and type•QR Code - size

Here’s an example from Glencarlyn Library

• Plant label directs to article

Educational aspect ? Where to link?

Color is OK

Perspective is fine

You don’t have to stay inside the box

Engaging audience gives better scan rates

Curate a longer stay• A study on making an exhibit mobile-friendly(games, pictures, QR scanning)extended stays from 20 minutes to 90 minutes

• Visitors like to turn right when entering

• Scan usage is highest at start

• People stay if they can rest

• Videos get people to stay

Some ideas – you are the curator• Historical - Scanning the code sends the user to a set of photos from the same location, but in a different time period.

• A trail of QR codes. Each QR code has a something about that spot, with a hint to the next spot.

March 2009 November 2011

Some other ideas•A seasonal slideshow

•Plant labels with a lottery drawing. QR code all the plants you’re selling. Have one of them with a special tag, that when scanned reveals they’ve won the prize.

• *** Interactive ***1) Have the user scan a tag that asks a question …e.g. “Which plants do bumblebees like?” 2) Then, when the user scans another tag, the web page answers the question.

QR Codes can be used for tracking• If QR code is scanned, usage details can be reviewed•What % of visitors are scanning? •Does usage increase over time? •Do flowering plants receive the scans? •Will rutabaga finally dethrone tomato as most popular?

Mobile-Friendly Content

Mobile-Friendly Content on the cheap• Create a Google Drive / Dropbox folder• Change the folder sharing to Public• Create an HTML file using a mobile template• In each file, add content for each QR code• Create QR codes to HTML bookmarks.

• Blah-blah-blah? • Email hstaples@mgnv.orgparagraphs and pictures.

More information

•MGNV QR Codes in the GardensOur stats, end-of-season summary http://bit.ly/MGNVQR

This presentation, templates, etc.http://bit.ly/MGNVQRPresentation

Questions?

• http://www.mgnv.org• mgarlalex@gmail.com• 703-228-6414

Mary Van Dykemaryvandyke4@gmail.com

Judy FunderburkDragonfly.jbf@verizon.net

Henry StaplesHenry@staplessolutions.com