Wikihow Technical Writing Sample 1: Using a QR Code Scanner

A QR (quick response) code is a a code comprised of black and white squares in a specific matrix pattern used to store URLs and other information by reading the code in a QR scanner on a smartphone camera. Information such as address, personal information such as a name and phone number, or other alphanumeric text data can be stored in QR codes. This article will show you how to create your own QR Code.

== Steps ==

=== Generating a QR code using the "Barcode Generator" App ===
# Open the Google Play Store in your "applications" menu on your smartphone.
# Search for "barcode generator and scanner" in the Play Store app. Select the "Barcode Generator/Reader" (by Ladvan APPS) option towards the bottom of the screen. 
#  Click on the "Install" button to install the (free) app. Once the app finishes installing, click "open" to open the app.
#  Click on the dropdown menu that says "text" as default in the QR Code scanner app to select the type of information you want to embed in the code.
#  Select the input you want to embed in your QR Code. You can choose options such as a URL, Phone Number, SMS, Email Address, and much more! For example, select "URL" if you want the QR Code to lead to a website.
#  Type the URL to your site in the text box towards the top of the page and click "Generate".
#  Click "Save" to save the QR code you generated in its current state.
#  If you want, click on the "share" button to send it to your friends and across the internet.

=== Generating a QR code using the "QR Droid" App ===
#  Open the Google Play Store in your "applications" menu on your smartphone.
#  Search for "QR Droid" in the Play Store app. Select the "QR Droid Code Scanner" (by DroidLA) option at the top of the screen.
#  Click on the "Install" button to install the (free) app. Once the app finishes installing, click "open" to open the app.
#  On the top right hand corner of the screen in side the green bar, click on the button that has 9 small boxes, 3x3.
#  Six options will be provided once you click on the "box grid button". Click on the button in the left middle that says "create".
#  There is a menu of items listed once the "create" button is clicked. These are methods in how you can create the QR code, such as for an "in case of emergency" contact, business card, web address, plain text, etc. Click on the 3rd option from the top, "Web Address".
#  On the top left side of the screen once "Web Address" is clicked, click on the "green plus sign" button that says "New URL" next to it.
#  In the "green underline bar" under where it says "Enter Web page to encode", enter the URL you wish to make into a QR code.
#* If you want a regular QR code, click on the "green button with a right facing arrow into a QR code". Leave the "Avoid duplicate short URLs" box checked.
#** You will be taken to a screen where you can edit the QR code (ex the size, color, and logo of the QR code). You can also share, copy the URL, save the URL to your phone, edit the URL, or send it to someone via text message.
#* If you want a QR code with a URL shortener in it, leave the "Avoid duplicate short URLs" box checked and click on the green "shorten URL" button.
#** The shortened URL will appear in the "green underline bar".
#** You are given the options to copy or share the shortened URL.
#** If you want to turn the shortened URL into a QR code, click on the "green button with a right facing arrow into a QR code". The screen to modify your QR code will appear.

=== Generating QR codes through your mobile internet browser ===
# Open an internet browser in your smartphone (can use Chrome, the "Internet" browser, or anything else that can load the internet).
# Load Google by typing "google.com" into the browser URL bar.
# In the search bar, search for "QR Code Generator".
# Click on the search result, "QR Code Generator" at www.qr-code-generator.com, which should be listed at the top.
# Without signing up for advanced options on the website, after arriving to the URL on your phone, there is a menu of items listed. These are methods in how you can create the QR code, such as for an text, email, Facebook, URL, etc. Click on "URL" option, which is selected as default.
#* Enter the URL in the URL bar and click on "Create QR Code".
#* Once the "Create QR Code" button is clicked, it turns into a "download" button, which can be clicked on to download the code to your phone.

== Tips ==
*You can also print out your QR Codes for T-shirts, posters, and other items for easy advertising.
*Make sure your smartphone is compatible with the app for creating the QR code when you're downloading applications from the Google Play store.

== Warnings ==
*Data shared to QR codes should be information you would normally make public.
*Don't encode information that is too personal, such as passwords and social security numbers, if you plan on making the information in the code public.

== Things You'll Need ==
*Android device
*Internet access (can use Wifi or Phone Data)