Comments on: Microsoft Tag: Microsoft’s own 2D barcode http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090108/microsoft-tag-microsofts-own-2d-barcode/ All the stuff about Microsoft and technology you haven't read anywhere else. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:52:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jimmy Jump http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090108/microsoft-tag-microsofts-own-2d-barcode/#comment-148290 Jimmy Jump Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:53:48 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/?p=3366#comment-148290 Let's put 2D Codes on the back of store receipts in 4 color process. www.stratprint.com We print four color register receipt tape for McDonalds and most grocery store chains around the country. Please review our program for clients that would like to use 2D Codes & QR Codes on the back of their receipts for advertising and marketing purposes. Jimmy Jump 800-247-4793 EXT 2725 Let’s put 2D Codes on the back of store receipts in 4 color process. http://www.stratprint.com
We print four color register receipt tape for McDonalds and most grocery store chains around the country. Please review our program for clients that would like to use 2D Codes & QR Codes on the back of their receipts for advertising and marketing purposes.
Jimmy Jump 800-247-4793 EXT 2725

]]> By: JJ http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090108/microsoft-tag-microsofts-own-2d-barcode/#comment-143975 JJ Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:04:41 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/?p=3366#comment-143975 MS Tag reader for PC or Mac computer? I use the camera in my Mac laptop to scan QR codes in magazines. As I get older, doing things on the smart phone is less appealing, too small of a screen. MS Tag reader for PC or Mac computer?
I use the camera in my Mac laptop to scan QR codes in magazines. As I get older, doing things on the smart phone is less appealing, too small of a screen.

]]> By: Kenn http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090108/microsoft-tag-microsofts-own-2d-barcode/#comment-143866 Kenn Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:25:08 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/?p=3366#comment-143866 Thank you Max! Finally someone else sees this for what it is. Thank you Max! Finally someone else sees this for what it is.

]]> By: steven http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090108/microsoft-tag-microsofts-own-2d-barcode/#comment-142771 steven Tue, 10 May 2011 17:24:43 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/?p=3366#comment-142771 It's obvious that MSFT is aiming to position itself as the gatekeeper of the 2D barcode ecosystem with Tag and that is the most concerning issue here in my opinion. If they succeed on this self centered quest they will have the control to decide who can use the technology, the cost of it, and information about every business that uses it and their Tag scanning customers. What is the benefit of this to anyone except MSFT when QR Code is already a well defined ISO standard without any licensing restrictions that can accomplish the same use cases and does not require any proprietary company to be your business/customer's middle man? In addition to being a completely self motivated attempt for power by MSFT, this has the side effect of slowing or even preventing general 2D bar code adoption in the US by consumers/businesses due to confusion, incompatibility and fear of adopting the 'wrong' 2D bar code technology too early. Honestly I think this is somewhat criminal in that MSFT is obstructing a perfectly suitable and freely usable technology (QR Code) from taking off. There are many beneficial use cases for this such as QR codes containing or linking to personal health information, map info, instructions, etc that would normally take significant natural resources & create clutter (ie paper, signs, etc) or not even be possible without a technology like this. It’s obvious that MSFT is aiming to position itself as the gatekeeper of the 2D barcode ecosystem with Tag and that is the most concerning issue here in my opinion. If they succeed on this self centered quest they will have the control to decide who can use the technology, the cost of it, and information about every business that uses it and their Tag scanning customers. What is the benefit of this to anyone except MSFT when QR Code is already a well defined ISO standard without any licensing restrictions that can accomplish the same use cases and does not require any proprietary company to be your business/customer’s middle man?

In addition to being a completely self motivated attempt for power by MSFT, this has the side effect of slowing or even preventing general 2D bar code adoption in the US by consumers/businesses due to confusion, incompatibility and fear of adopting the ‘wrong’ 2D bar code technology too early.

Honestly I think this is somewhat criminal in that MSFT is obstructing a perfectly suitable and freely usable technology (QR Code) from taking off. There are many beneficial use cases for this such as QR codes containing or linking to personal health information, map info, instructions, etc that would normally take significant natural resources & create clutter (ie paper, signs, etc) or not even be possible without a technology like this.

]]> By: Digital Marketing Trend: Microsoft Tag « Digital Brand Marketing Educator http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090108/microsoft-tag-microsofts-own-2d-barcode/#comment-140179 Digital Marketing Trend: Microsoft Tag « Digital Brand Marketing Educator Wed, 09 Mar 2011 02:54:03 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/?p=3366#comment-140179 [...] iStartedSomething.com: Microsoft Tag, Microsoft Own 2d Barcode [...] [...] iStartedSomething.com: Microsoft Tag, Microsoft Own 2d Barcode [...]

]]> By: Chip http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090108/microsoft-tag-microsofts-own-2d-barcode/#comment-139314 Chip Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:00:14 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/?p=3366#comment-139314 It does work in B+W. I just scanned a code from a Microsoft add on the back of the Feb 14 Information Week. The add was full color, but the code was B+W. Worked just fine. It's another option for linking information to a mobile device. It is also great for tracking hits and locations of users, if you allow that option. I still see the need for a tag that actually stores the informatio in the tag itself, such as contact information. I'd like to put a QRCode or Datamatix code on my business card. It does work in B+W. I just scanned a code from a Microsoft add on the back of the Feb 14 Information Week. The add was full color, but the code was B+W. Worked just fine. It’s another option for linking information to a mobile device. It is also great for tracking hits and locations of users, if you allow that option. I still see the need for a tag that actually stores the informatio in the tag itself, such as contact information. I’d like to put a QRCode or Datamatix code on my business card.

]]> By: nutterguy http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090108/microsoft-tag-microsofts-own-2d-barcode/#comment-138465 nutterguy Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:15:47 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/?p=3366#comment-138465 Good thing you dont click on those pesky internet links either eh. I mean it's not like they contain any information or give usage information to whoever... Good thing you dont click on those pesky internet links either eh. I mean it’s not like they contain any information or give usage information to whoever…

]]> By: Ty http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090108/microsoft-tag-microsofts-own-2d-barcode/#comment-138463 Ty Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:33:36 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/?p=3366#comment-138463 I won't be using it. With many QR scanning software you're shown where you're going to be sent and decide whether to go there or not. It puts the user in control. With Microsoft's tag you lose control. You must send the data to them to get the resulting link/phone/etc., and then they send you there instantly. What if the tag goes to a porn site? Too many negatives for me to use it over QR... - Data is not stored in the tag. (Some view this as a benefit...I don't know why.) - Dependency on Microsoft to continue support of this tagging technology. - Microsoft gets all the usage stats for my tags. - Users have yet another app to download for scanning tags...and another Agreement to agree to when installing. - Tag has to be printed in color (or I have to use a kludge to get it to work without color). - We don't know if this will continue to be a free and unencumbered technology. I won’t be using it. With many QR scanning software you’re shown where you’re going to be sent and decide whether to go there or not. It puts the user in control. With Microsoft’s tag you lose control. You must send the data to them to get the resulting link/phone/etc., and then they send you there instantly. What if the tag goes to a porn site? Too many negatives for me to use it over QR…

- Data is not stored in the tag. (Some view this as a benefit…I don’t know why.)
- Dependency on Microsoft to continue support of this tagging technology.
- Microsoft gets all the usage stats for my tags.
- Users have yet another app to download for scanning tags…and another Agreement to agree to when installing.
- Tag has to be printed in color (or I have to use a kludge to get it to work without color).
- We don’t know if this will continue to be a free and unencumbered technology.

]]> By: hugh http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090108/microsoft-tag-microsofts-own-2d-barcode/#comment-125909 hugh Mon, 31 May 2010 11:48:18 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/?p=3366#comment-125909 No the tags don't have to be in colour. You can do a black and white version, or a colour version in greyscale as the system looks at the colour difference not the actual colour. -An MS tag is about 1/4 size of a QR code -The colour tags are easier to get a lock on, more reliable -You dont have to "reprint" your code with different data, just update at the MS server (I think thats smart) -Reader available on all phone platforms with a really nice software client All the basic tags are free, and always will be. (text, url, vcard etc) What MS reserve the right to do is probably host video or "systems" (perhaps ticketing) later to add extra value. I think this is smart also. For publishers, again, its free for the basic tag and redirect/vcard etc, but they reserve the right to later charge for analytics (which is a value add over a QR code where you'd have to perform that analysis yourself) All in all I think MS have really thought about this. MS Research have produced a fair amount of decent ideas recently. I for one hope these tags catch on as they are super useful. Much nicer than writing down phone numbers or URLs when you are out walking / cycling or in the car. If we can get a Micropayments system so I don't have a pocket rattling with change I will be a happy bunny. Snap for data, swipe to purchase. Life would be good :) No the tags don’t have to be in colour. You can do a black and white version, or a colour version in greyscale as the system looks at the colour difference not the actual colour.

-An MS tag is about 1/4 size of a QR code
-The colour tags are easier to get a lock on, more reliable
-You dont have to “reprint” your code with different data, just update at the MS server (I think thats smart)
-Reader available on all phone platforms with a really nice software client

All the basic tags are free, and always will be. (text, url, vcard etc)
What MS reserve the right to do is probably host video or “systems” (perhaps ticketing) later to add extra value. I think this is smart also.

For publishers, again, its free for the basic tag and redirect/vcard etc, but they reserve the right to later charge for analytics (which is a value add over a QR code where you’d have to perform that analysis yourself)

All in all I think MS have really thought about this. MS Research have produced a fair amount of decent ideas recently. I for one hope these tags catch on as they are super useful. Much nicer than writing down phone numbers or URLs when you are out walking / cycling or in the car. If we can get a Micropayments system so I don’t have a pocket rattling with change I will be a happy bunny. Snap for data, swipe to purchase. Life would be good :)

]]> By: Kevin Lam http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090108/microsoft-tag-microsofts-own-2d-barcode/#comment-125870 Kevin Lam Sat, 29 May 2010 22:44:44 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/?p=3366#comment-125870 We're playing around with this new technology and assessing how we might extend our own LOCKBOX technology with it -- there's an online tag creator we developed for testing purposes if you want to give Microsoft Tag a try: http://www.golockbox.com/resources/mstagcreator/mstagcreator.aspx --Kevin We’re playing around with this new technology and assessing how we might extend our own LOCKBOX technology with it — there’s an online tag creator we developed for testing purposes if you want to give Microsoft Tag a try:

http://www.golockbox.com/resources/mstagcreator/mstagcreator.aspx

–Kevin

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