A QR-Code is a matrix barcode, a kind of a two-dimensional code (2D). The difference betweena conventional barcode (those used in package of goods, with a sequence of numbers) andthe QR-Code is the fact that in QR-code there is enough room for many characters, as aninternet address (URL) – up to more than 4 thousand characters or more than seven thousandnumbers.

Main usage is to create a link between printed media (newspapers and magazines) andonline media (internet) – it is a code to integrate medias. And Autism Magazine Brazil (Revista Autismo) innovateswith the usage of QR-Codes to expand its contents, introducing a resource underused, ornot used at all, in Brazil. In the example alongside, the web site of this magazine (http://RevistaAutismo.com.br/) is built-in in the QR-Code (or encoded, as we should refer to).

But how to read (or decode) a QR-Code?

There are softwares that read these codes for the large majority of cell phones and cameras,besides some webcams (computer cameras). In mobile phones, just start the software andpoint the camera to the code that is decoded immediately – and for those who have built-incameras in their cellulars, the site will be automatically started with linked information online.

The QR-Code is not new. It was created in 1994, by Denso-Wave, in Japan, where is largelyused. QR stands for quick response, as the code can be quickly interpreted, even lowresolution images (VGA) captured by cameras from simpler mobile telephones. And Code isself-explanatory. Just point, interpret and access!

Extra Material

In Brazil, the first advertisement using this code was published by Fast Shop (in December,2007). After that, Nova Schin published an ad using the code (in June, 2008), and Clarolaunched a campaign using QR-code (in November, 2008). Galileu Magazine, from EditoraGlobo, has also adopted QR to give access to its readers to extra information from their cells.The “A Tarde”, from Salvador (BA), has been using QR-Code since Dec 10, 2008 - also the firstprinted newspaper in Brazil – acknowledged by the National Newspaper Association (ANJ).

Should you want to learn more about QR-Codes, read the article published at Wikipedia.

In case you want to download QR-Code readers, access following options:

• Download of QR-Code readers (in English) - Jaxo-Systems - http://www.jaxo-systems.com/decoders/?lang=en_US
• Download of QR-Code readers (in English)- Kaywa.com - http://reader.kaywa.com/
• How to install QR-Code on Mobiles - Breno Fernandes - http://www.lupa.facom.ufba.br/2009/03/como-instalar-o-leitor-de-qr-code-no-seu-celular/
• Understand what a QR-Code is, content hidden in 2D bars - Gattune! - http://gattune.blog.br/entenda-o-qr-code-o-conteudo-escondido-em-barras-2d/
• Point a camera to the QR-Code - Info Exame - http://info.abril.com.br/professional/network/aponte-a-camera-para-o-qr-code.shtml

• Download a QR-Code reader of Jaxo-Systems
• Download a QR-Codes reader of Kaywa.com
• How to install a QR-Code reader on mobiles (portuguese) - Breno Fernandes
• Understad what a QR-Code is, content hidden in 2D barcode (portuguese) - Gattune!
• Point a Câmera to the QR-Code (portuguese) - Info Exame (TI Magazine from Brazil)

That’s all!