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The traditional linear barcode is used to store information, and can commonly be seen on the packages of products found in supermarkets. The image of a barcode is in every household, on most store-bought items.

Traditional barcodes are not commonly understood by the general public. For many, traditional barcodes appear to be just an ugly image on packaging, used for scanning the item at the till.

What is QR Code?

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Traditional linear barcodes are 1-dimensional, whereas QR codes are 2-dimensional matrix codes. "QR" is an abbreviation of "Quick Response", because the code can be decoded at high speed. QR codes can contain between a dozen and a few hundred times more information than linear barcodes.

QR code is also referred to as Kaywa code.

QR Code Becomes Publicly Accessible

QR codes quickly gained popularity in Japan, and have now spread to Europe and the US. By photographing the QR code image with a mobile phone and decoding it, a person can follow the information within the code to a company website or simply receive a short message. It is a way to instantly access information without needing to find a computer.

Many mobile phones are now being equipped with QR decoding software. The software can also be downloaded online.

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Marketing

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The movie, "28 Weeks Later" used QR code to publicize the movie. Once photographed and decoded, the QR code revealed a link to the 28 Weeks Later website.

(The site offers a nifty encoding and decoding function to create or read a QR code.)

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Combined with an AVIN code (A unique code for each wine, similar to an ISBN book code), wine makers are supplying QR codes with their wine. Decoding the QR image reveals a website address which a person can follow to read more about the wine, the wine-making process or to find out about special offers.

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QR code has been used here by a realtor, to reveal a website link with more information on the sale of the house.

QR Code in Art

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The QR code used in these earrings reveals a web link to a Wikipedia article on gratitude. Read more about the concept behind the jewelry at http://ssbxfab.org/?p=94

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This urban art sticker of a QR code reveals a phrase in Japanese, which roughly translates to “Doing nothing, just hanging around. That's the hardest work of all.” We may begin to see more and more coded messages, in stencil or on stickers, appearing around the world as urban artists express their opinions on life through this code.

Will Traditional Barcodes be Replaced by QR Code?

Traditional barcodes are suited to their particular task, and it is doubtful that QR code will replace traditional barcodes any time soon. The powerful squares of code are bound to appear more frequently in magazines and on billboards, as an interactive advertising medium.

Perhaps in the future, QR codes will also be used to instantly reveal detailed information on products in supermarkets.

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Processes used to produce activated carbons with defined properties became available only after 1900. Steam activation was patented by R. von Ostreijko in Britain, France, Germany, and the U.S. from 1900 to 1903. When made from wood, the activated carbon product was called Eponite (1909); when made from peat, it was called Norit (1911). Activated carbon processes began in Holland, Germany, and the U.S., and the products were in all cases a powdered form of activated carbon mainly used for decolorizing sugar solutions. This remained an important use, requiring some 1800 tons each year, into the twenty-first century.

In the U.S., coconut char activated by steam was developed for use in gas masks during World War I. The advantage of using coconut shell was that it was a waste product that could be converted to charcoal in primitive kilns at little cost. By 1923, activated carbon was available from black ash, paper pulp waste residue, and lignite. In 1919, the U.S. Public Health Service conducted experiments on filtration of surface water contaminated with industrial waste through activated carbon. At first, cost considerations militated against the widespread use of activated carbon for water treatment. It was employed at some British works before 1930, and at Hackensack in New Jersey. From that time there was an interest in the application of granular activated carbon in water treatment, and its subsequent use for this purpose grew rapidly. As improved forms became available, activated carbon often replaced sand in water treatment where potable supplies were required.

Coal-based processes for high-grade adsorbent required for use in gas masks originally involved prior pulverization and briquetting under pressure, followed by carbonization, and activation. The process was simplified after 1933 when the British Fuel Research Station in East Greenwich, at the request of the Chemical Research Defence Establishment, began experiments on direct production from coke activated by steam at elevated temperatures. In 1940, Pittsburgh Coke & Iron Company, developed a process for producing granular activated carbon from bituminous coal for use in military gas masks. During World War II, this replaced the coconut char previously obtained from India and the Philippines. The large surface area created by the pores and its mechanical hardness made this new material particularly useful in continuous decolorization processes. The Pittsburgh processes developed by the Pittsburgh Activated Carbon Company were acquired in 1965 by the Calgon Company. In late twentieth century processes, carbon was crushed, mixed with binder, sized and processed in lowtemperature bakers, and subjected to high temperatures in furnaces where the pore structure of the carbon is developed. The activation process can be adjusted to create pores of the required size for a particular application. Activation normally takes place at 800-900_C with steam or carbon dioxide. Powdered activated carbon is suitable for liquid and flue gas applications-the granulated form for the liquid and gas phases, and pelleted activated carbon for the gas phase. Granulated activated carbon is used as a filter medium for contaminated water or air, while the powdered form is mixed into wastewater where it adsorbs the contaminants and is later filtered or settled from the mixture. Activated carbon has also been used in chemical analysis for prior removal and concentration of contaminants in water. Trade names for activated carbon used in these processes are Nuchar and Darco.

Activated carbon has been used in the largescale treatment of liquid waste, of which the effluent from the synthetic dye industry is a good example. Synthetic dye manufacture involves reactions of aromatic chemicals, and the reactants and products are sometimes toxic. In addition to an unpleasant taste and odor imparted to water, this waste is also highly colored, complex, and invariably very difficult to degrade. Fortunately, many of the refractory aromatic compounds are nonpolar, the property that permits adsorption onto activated carbon. In the 1970s, three large dye-making works in New Jersey used activated carbon to remove aromatics and even trace metals such as toxic lead and cadmium from liquid waste. In two cases, powdered activated carbon was added to the activated sludge treatment process to enhance removal of contaminants. In a third case, following biological treatment, the liquid effluent was adsorbed during upward passage in towers packed with granular activated carbon. The spent carbon from this continuous process was regenerated in a furnace, and at the same time the adsorbed waste solute was destroyed.

In 1962, Calgon utilized activated granular carbon for treating drinking water, and at the end of the twentieth century, municipal water purification had become the largest market for activated carbon. The older methods that involved disposal of spent carbon after use were replaced by the continuous processes using granulated activated carbon. By continuous reuse of the regenerated activated carbon, the process is ecologically more desirable. Apart from the inability to remove soluble contaminants (since they are polar) and the need for low concentrations of both organic and inorganic contaminants, the cost of the carbon is the greatest limitation in the continuous process. Activated carbon also found wide application in the pharmaceutical, alcoholic beverage, and electroplating industries; in the removal of pesticides and waste of pesticide manufacture; for treatment of wastewater from petroleum refineries and textile factories; and for remediation of polluted groundwater. Although activated carbons are manufactured for specific uses, it is difficult to characterize them quantitatively. As a result, laboratory trials and pilot plant experiments on a specific waste type normally precede installation of activated carbon facilities.

Some of those who managed to experience this luxury of a television viewing are sports superstars, entertainment personalities and business moguls. In other countries, the 103” monitor is also used in broadcasting studios, airports, conference rooms, as digital signage, and popularly known in the rental business. Last year, Panasonic were able to sell 1500 sets worldwide and they are planning to increase its sales to 5000 this year. In the Philippines, where the product was introduced May of this year, Panasonic executives reveals that some Filipinos have already acquired their own 103” HD TVs, these including company owners, sports icons and music artists.

According to Panasonic executive Patrick Raz, the launch of the 103” plasma display was prompted by three factors. First is to promote Panasonic brand domination of plasma business, raise the level of by shifting the demand for bigger plasma monitors and to increase the company's sales in terms of amount. So far, Panasonic is the only brand, bold enough to commercialize the plasma trading in the country.

The 103” Plasma TV gives a superior picture quality because of its two million pixels. It has a consistent and uniform discharge and delivers the same accurate images from the centre to every corner of the screen. Because of its 1080p processor, which is supported by a 1080p driver integrated with System LSI, MPEG noise is reduced while it receives HD signals producing a crisp and clear image. For DVD viewing however, blue ray discs and DVD players are required to maximize the performance of the plasma, because ordinary DVDs might produce blurry images on the 103” screen.

Mainly because a 3-million peso plasma television is more of a personal product rather than a business investment for Filipinos, the installation of the 103” plasma television goes through a lot of process. This is because, according to Patrick, Panasonic wants to give its clients a professional approach to selling. Before the actual delivery of the 103” display panel, which is only available on a per order basis, Panasonic personnel make a pre-survey of the area to check if the area has proper wirings, a wall strong enough to support the weight of the product and even the entrance of the locations and only trained Panasonic personnel are allowed to install the 103” HD TV. This kind of professional selling only proves that Panasonic takes great pride in the quality of their products. And being the only company which maintains almost 300 authorized service dealer nationwide, Panasonic maintains its after sale maintenance so clients can get the best of their service. “This is a strong indication that we are not just after sales, we are serving our customers beyond selling. That is something that we can be proud of,” say Panasonic Philippines President Rene Almeda.

Panasonic now boasts of its three plasma manufacturing companies in Japan, said to be the biggest and most innovative among plasma manufacturers. The factory is very high tech because the operation uses very minimal manpower and more on robotics.

“Panasonic's 103” display represents the pinnacle of our achievement and truly defines the level of ultimate home entertainment available for our most demanding consumers. We created it because, as worldwide sales of Plasma TVs continues to rise, the market is seeking bigger displays on which people can experience High Definition lifestyle,” say Hiroki Miyagi, Panasonic's General Manager.

Panasonic is owned by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd, a world leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products from personal to business and industrial needs. Panasonic brand carries an extensive line of products including home appliances, factory automation equipment, information and communication equipment, telecommunication systems, digital multi-function, copiers and fax machines with Internet connection, plasma screens, home theatre system, multi-media LCD projectors and security systems.

Some of its latest innovation is the Iris Recognition System, an iris reading machine which boasts of a false acceptance rate of 1 in 1.2 million, highly recommended for companies and establishments that require high level security.

Now on its 40th year in the Philippines, Panasonic promises products that can enrich people's lives and the society as well…for Life

It is not yet possible, but it is coming. There are several companies working on the idea. It is hard to fathom television reception that is not on a two dimensional plane. All of the televiewing we have been able to do in the past is done on a flat or slightly rounded screen.

The screen is the major problem. The cameras are already able to produce holographic images. Having many cameras producing the images from many angles is quite possible. How to project all of those images at the same time and same place to form a three dimensional viewing experience is where technology still has to provide the answer.

Just think of how many novel features will be possible when the process is perfected and on the market. If you are watching a sporting event, you can move a little to the left or right and scan the spectators to see if your friend is in the crowd. A detective drama will be more easily solved by the viewers if they can adjust the angle of their viewing. The possibilities are nearly endless.

Already, science is using some instruments which resemble holographic television. Medical imaging techniques sort of do holographic-type activities. Still, they find it hard to consider the x, the y, and the z coordinates at the same time.

Think of 3-D movies without the need for those special glasses. It will be nearly the same as being present where the cameras are photographing. You can adjust your view by moving one direction or another. You will no longer be at the mercy of one camera's point of view.

Disneyland had a novel idea when they introduced the 360 degree screens at the theme parks, but holographic viewing will far surpass the 360 concept.

Betamax was a video cassette recording standard Sony created in the late 1970's. Betamax and VHS, a video cassette recording standard created by JVC, competed against each other and VHS came out on top. Video rental shops normally had movies available to rent in both Betamax as well as VHS.

Instant Polaroid Camera

The first instant camera was released in 1947. The camera develops its own film instantly when you take a picture. You can still buy cameras and film today, but Polaroid recently released that they will be shutting down production of all instant film. 

Typewriter

Before the days of laptops and desktops typewriters were indispensable tools for any business. The first typewriter was manufactured in 1873.

MS-DOS

Microsoft commercialized this operating system during the 1980s DOS which means Disk operating system was a command line type operating system that you could access data from disk drives and run executable files.

Long Playing Album (LP)

This was a very popular analog music record format produced in the 1950's. It was subsequently replaced by the compact disc (CD) 

What is green energy? Green energy is otherwise known as clean energy or energy produced by renewable energy sources. One example of this is solar energy produced by the sun. Using green energy in transportation is one of the fastest growing trends. Here is an interesting link to a university in Australia that has developed the Trev (two-seater renewable energy vehicle). Apple is also now researching powering handheld devices with solar panels.

Mobile Data Networks

The appeal to Wi-Max and 3G products are growing exponentially. Wi-max is longer range wi-fi. What this means is that you will soon be able to use the internet anywhere and everywhere by just switching on the wi-fi on your laptop, mobile, i-pod or PDA. There is a forum dedicated to the development of Wi-Max technology. 3G is a data service provided by mobile phone companies for high-speed data access using your mobile phone.

Artificial Intelligence

This is the creation of intelligent machines or intelligent computer programs. This is the stuff of science fiction movies. Robots will be doing everything for you. This is a really exciting field of research and development and great things lie ahead. John McCarthy has written a great article that explains Artificial Intelligence.

Interactive Gaming

Nintendo has created a new trend with the Wii. This gaming system will get you of the couch moving. Sony has struggled to keep up with the Playstation 3 while Microsoft's XBOX 360 is also no competition to the Wii.

Media over the Internet

Buying music over the internet has increased in popularity with Apples iTunes leading the way. Apple has recently added features that enables users to rent or buy movies or television shows using their iTunes program. By just the click of a button you can watch any available movie immediatedly. Getting in your car and driving to the DVD shop is something of the past.