QR Codes are the best thing that’s ever happened to the Internet, if you believe the hype. What do I think of them? Just check out this side-by-side comparison to see how much easier using QR codes can be than using the Internet the “old fashioned way,” using URLs.

To Use a QR Code:

1. Locate a QR code somewhere placed by a brand you want to connect with
2. Get your smartphone out (if you have one)
3. Open a QR code scanning app
4. (If you don't have a QR code app like most people, download one)
5. Scan the QR code
6. View the website in the QR code reading app
7. Press the button that says "open in browser"

To use an old fashioned URL:

• Type www.example.com in your browser
• Press enter

Ta dah! Where would we be without the genius of QR codes? Sheesh. I can't believe we didn't use these when I was growing up. Life was so much harder then...

About Ron Stauffer

Ron Stauffer is a writer, marketer, opera singer, and father of five. He writes about technology, work, faith, family, and the strange little things people usually forget to notice. Learn more about Ron.