You've probably noticed that QR codes, those little pixelated graphics, are showing up pretty much everywhere these days. The idea is that QR codes are an effective way to encode a URL such that it can be recognized by a smartphone. By slapping a QR code on a poster, package, or bus stop, someone can point her smart-phone camera at the QR code, let the phone's software do its thing to extract the encoded URL, and be looking at a relevant website in seconds, no typos involved.
Now, just how pervasive have QR codes become? Well, that picture above is an aerial shot of a cornfield at the Kraay family farm in Alberta, Canada. And just how big is it? Well, according to the folks at the Guinness Book of Records, it's 309,570 square feet.
Best of all, the corn-field QR code actually works, as verified by the Kraays using a helicopter.
The Kraays have created cornfield mazes at their farm for years as part of the many attractions they offer to the public. I've been to similar places in the past, but nothing on the scale of what the Kraays do. Now that fall is upon us, check to see if there's anything like this in your area -- it's a fun way to spend a day with the kids...
Oh, and if you're curious to learn more about QR codes, as usual, Wikipedia will get you started....
