1. Henry Staples Judy Funderburk Mary Van Dyke 27 February 2013 Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia QR CODES IN THE GARDEN

2. 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

3. 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

4. Which scanner app can I put on my phone? Popular barcode scanning apps with Google Play links Android Barcode Scanner i-nigma RedLaser Apple iOS i-nigma RedLaser

6. How to create a QR Code? Go to a QR Generator – e.g. Qrstuff.comQrstuff.com 1.Find your URL (internet address) 2.Copy URL 3.Go back to the QR Code Generator site 4.Paste in your URL 5.There you are!

7. URL Shorteners goo.gl, bitly.com, qrstuff.com goo.glbitly.comqrstuff.com Rutabagas http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/rutabaga.html Which will be easier For a phone to read ?

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

9. 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

10. Here’s an example from Glencarlyn Library Plant label directs to article

11. Educational aspect ? Where to link?

12. Color is OK

13. Perspective is fine

14. You don’t have to stay inside the box

15. Engaging audience gives better scan rates

16. 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

17. 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 2009November 2011

18. 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.

19. 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?

20. Mobile-Friendly Content

21. 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.org paragraphs and pictures.hstaples@mgnv.org

22. More information MGNV QR Codes in the Gardens Our stats, end-of-season summary http://bit.ly/MGNVQR http://bit.ly/MGNVQR This presentation, templates, etc. http://bit.ly/MGNVQRPresentation http://bit.ly/MGNVQRPresentation

23. Questions? http://www.mgnv.org mgarlalex@gmail.com 703-228-6414 Mary Van Dyke maryvandyke4@gmail.com Judy Funderburk Dragonfly.jbf@verizon.net Henry Staples Henry@staplessolutions.com