QR codes- unlocking more media

QR- or “quick response” codes are popping up everywhere these days.

You see them on restaurant menus, TV commercials and magazine ads. I even saw one on the back of a Pepsi truck a few weeks ago. The codes allow anyone with a Smartphone and a code reading app to scan the code and be redirected to a website with exclusive content.

These codes can be used in our published papers as a way to link people with our digital offerings. For instance, I used a QR code on the front page of the A2 Journal sports section, along side a story about the MHSAA state golf tournament. When scanned, the code would redirect the reader to a photo slideshow of the tourney. These codes could be a great way to supplement our print edition with media and get hits on the websites.

Creating and implementing the codes is insanely easy.

Using the Kaywa QR-Code Generator, which is found here, the creation process is pretty much just cutting and pasting the link of the site you want the code to send readers when scanned.

After that, the code just becomes an image that can be saved, toned and put on a page.

Again, it’s incredibly easy, but if you need some reference material, check this out.

Xtranormal

Xtranormal is a service allowing users to turn text into video using avatars. Users begin by selecting a scene for their avatars, the most basic free option is a street corner. After selecting characters, users are able to insert text for the avatars to say aloud. Besides the audio component, aspects of the scene can be controlled. The emotions, movements and actions of the characters can be controlled. For example, as your character is saying “I hate politicans,” they can wave their arms in the air. The actions can be inserted by dragging the action after any word in the text box and there are several options available for each category. You can also have characters walk to certain marks within the scene. Similar options apply to the “camera” on the characters. Users can control the angle of the shot. This can transition within the movie. There are several different tools available for this task. When complete, the tool generates a link and embed code for your movie.

I’ve included the instruction guide I presented to our staff here.

We talked about how Xtranormal could be incorporated into the newsroom. I suggested using it tease the current issue of the paper. I’d have the characters talk about the latest headlines. Others suggested using it as a tool for advertising.

There are two ways to run Xtranormal, through Flash or a downloadable version. The downfall of Xtranormal is that each user gets a set amount of points to use when they first sign up to purchase scenes, characters, etc. Once you run out of points, you have to purchase more. Only the downloadable version will allow you to create a mock scene without points. The fee isn’t outrageous, but there are a lot of other items I’d invest in before this. In the past, the site has hosted free scenes, such as a soccer scene during the World Cup. I usually see friends post movies on Facebook when these are offered, so I try to keep my eyes open for them.

www.SurveyMonkey.com

When I was first introduced to www.SurveyMonkey.com I was inspired as to what exactly a journalist could use this tool for. I thought that it would be hard to get readers to respond to questions and you could use that data in the paper.

What I found was that millions of people all over the world had already used this tool. They have used it for businesses, schools and several types of organizations. So why not use it for online journalism?

Some of the types of surveys we can use with Survey Monkey include customer feedback, product feedback, market research surveys, employee satisfaction and even performance reviews. Not quite as advanced as the performance reviews Journal Register Company has had us learn but they are interesting.

Once an account is made (which is free depending on how in-depth the service is) people can start putting surveys on Internet, sending them by email or even using Facebook to get answers to the surveys.

Once you get your answers there are many different things you can do with them. Survey Monkey actually looks at the data and gives you results. You can use these for stories, personal use or maybe to look more in-depth at what you are trying to do. The cost is free unless you choose to upgrade it.

So have fun, explore and see what you can use from this tool to become a better journalist and online reporter.