Tutorial
prepared by: Annette Althuizen, O.F.F.W.A. Webmaster
What is a QR code
A QR code, short for ‘quick-response’ code, is a type of two-dimensional matrix barcode invented in 1994 by Masahiro Hara of the Japanese company Denso Wave for labelling automobile parts.
It features black squares on a white background with fiducial markers, readable by imaging devices like cameras, and processed using Reed-Solomon error correction until the image can be appropriately interpreted.
The required data is then extracted from patterns that are present in both the horizontal and the vertical components of the QR image.
A QR code is a matrix of barcodes designed to be scanned by smartphones, providing immediate access to data such as website URLs, contact information, or payment details. They bridge the offline and online information, commonly used for marketing, contactless payments, Wi-Fi network connection, product tracking and digital menus.
What does a QR code do?
A QR code is a matrix of barcode designed to be scanned by smartphones, providing immediate access to data such as website URL’s, contact information, or payment details. They bridge the offline and online information, commonly used for marketing, contactless payments, Wi-Fi network connection, product tracking and digital menus.
QR codes – fun facts
- QR codes can be read from any angle, even upside down.
- Encoded squares on the QR identify up from down and west from east.
Public Service Announcement (P.S.A.)
Exercise caution when scanning QR codes.
Ensure they are legitimately provided from the original verified website or from trusted in-person providers.
Source: Wikipedia, 5 Jan 2025
It should be noted that there are QR code warnings which focus on “Quishing” (QR phishing), where criminals place malicious codes to steal data, redirect to fake sites, or install malware, often by sticking fake codes over legitimate ones in public or sending them in unsolicited packages.
Key warnings include inspecting codes for tampering (stickers), checking the URL preview for typos/suspicious domains (like no HTTPS), avoiding prompts for personal info or app downloads, and being wary of unsolicited codes promising too-good-to-be-true offers.
Read more here: Cyber Threats and QR codes
How O.F.F.W.A. uses QR codes
Through the club’s website software we are able to create unique QR codes to promote or communicate information held on our website to others. This information is able to be used on flyers, posters and other promotional material.
It is a quick way to disseminate the information held on our website to ‘members of the public’ including potential new club members.
It also allows existing club members to easily share (and relay) information about the O.F.F.W.A. to others.
QR codes allow us to easily promote our club at community events like the ‘Have a Go Day’ held by Senior’s Recreation Council of WA (SRCWA) to showcase our summer ‘Sunset Summer’ walks and the first 4 daytime walks of the new season.
QR Codes are ‘evergreen’:
QR codes permit the Webmaster to amend information held on the club’s website (at no cost extra cost) while the QR is kept unchanged. Thereby ensuring that QR code users will be taken to ‘the latest version’ of our information and news. In this way, strategically used QR code, means our promotional information is not outdated – a term called ‘evergreen’.
QR codes will be included on newly printed version of our business cards and flyer from 2026.
How to read a QR code (iOS)
How to read a QR code (android)
O.F.F.W.A.’s QR codes
Contact us
This QR code takes anyone to the “☎️ Contact us” menu of our website.
What we do
This QR code takes anyone to the “🪩 What We Do” sub-menu of our website.
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