Utente:Romaine/Sandbox2

QRpedia is a system that uses QR codes to display Wikipedia articles. The special feature is that the article appears in the preferred language set on the phone. In this way museums, libraries and other (cultural) institutions provide information in more languages than they themselves place on information panels. It is also possible to provide more background information in this way. This page provides information about how an organisation can use QRpedia.

What is QRpedia?

QRpedia is linking to a Wikipedia article using a QR code that is placed in the physical space. Visitors can use their smartphone to scan the QR code in order to retrieve an article on Wikipedia. They can immediately open the article or save the link to view it at a later time. To scan a QR code, a QR code scanner is needed. There are several applications that can be used to scan QR codes. Upon opening the link, the visitor is automatically redirected to the article in your own language if that exists. For this, the language set in the preferences of the phone of the visitor is used.

Why should I use QRpedia?

• For visitors it is more interesting as they can learn more about a certain subject.
• Information is more accessible; especially because it is many items available in dozens of languages.
• One does not need to type in a long URL but can easily scan the code and quickly find information.
• The information on Wikipedia is extended and improved every day by volunteers worldwide. Everyone can contribute and make improvements, and the information is available under a free license.

For what QRpedia can be used?

QRpedia can basically be used for all subjects that have an article on Wikipedia.

• In public space QRpedia codes can be placed on or near cultural heritage or other prominent landmarks. Think of castles, country houses, religious buildings, mills or factories, historic farms, historic town houses or even entire historic streets, but also burial mounds, megaliths, and many more. The codes can also be used to provide information about landscape elements such as rivers and canals (like on bridges), roads, hilltops, watchtowers, forests, national parks and other natural areas.
• In gardens, parks and forests QRpedia codes can be placed near trees, plants and shrubs to provide more information about the species.
• In museums, galleries and archives the codes can be used near famous paintings and works of art, historical events, historical documents and numerous other issues which have an article on Wikipedia. The QRcode can link to the article about the work on Wikipedia or to the author who created the work.
• In libraries QRpedia codes can be placed in books to retrieve the corresponding Wikipedia article on the author and possibly the book, to get more information about them.

Can anyone use QRpedia?

Yes. You do not need to have permission from the Wikimedia movement. However we do like to hear where QRpedia is used and links to which articles. Look for contact information Wikimedia Italia on wikimedia.it.

We recommend to create a page like Wikipedia:QRpedia/<name of project or name of area> and link there all the articles which have a QRcode linked to, with mentioning since when a QRpedia code has been placed.

How do I create a QRpedia code?

Follow these steps to generate a code for QRpedia:

1. Navigate in your internet browser to the Wikipedia article to which the QR code should link.
2. Copy the URL of this page.
3. Go to http://qrpedia.org/QR-code
4. Place the URL in the gray box (under the white box).
5. Automatically the QR code appears. The code generator also provides an overview of the number of languages in which the article is available.
6. Click on the QR code; it will (automatically) downloaded as PNG file.
7. This PNG file can be printed and plasticized and is ready for use.

External links

• (EN) About QRpedia in the media
• (EN) QR Codes + Wikipedia, Blog about QRpedia, 28 September 2011
• (EN) Blog of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis about QRpedia
• (EN) QRpedia creates multilingual QR codes for Wikipedia articles, 29 September 2011
• (EN) Wikipedia Unveils Probably the Coolest QR Thingy Ever Made, 28 September 2011

QRpedia projects

• Sestopedia - Sestopedia