13 minute read
BITS AND BYTES
QR Codes
by KEVIN MCISAAC
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QR codes are more than a quarter-century old, but they’ve been used rarely except for specific cases. Recently we’ve all had occasion to carry one around with us to prove vaccination status, but do you know what you’re carrying?
A QR Code is just a barcode in a different format. Normal barcodes such as those on the back of a cereal box are onedimensional. You read them from left to right. They can encode up to about 80 letters and numbers depending on which barcode format is used. QR Codes are two-dimensional and can hold up to 1500 characters. You can think of barcodes as a sentence and QR Codes as an entire page.
There’s nothing magical about QR Codes despite their strange appearance. They were invented by a Japanese company to keep track of parts. High-speed part identification required a sophisticated format with very low error rates. Much of what makes QR Codes look strange has to do with the error correction data that’s encoded along with the actual data.
QR Codes today are often used to encode URLs. Scanning a QR Code that contains a URL with your phone’s camera will usually result in a prompt asking if you’d like to open that URL in a web browser. You should exercise the same caution doing that that you’d normally exercise when it comes to browsing the web, but it is easier and less error-prone than expecting people to type in a URL.
They can also be used to encode nonURL data. Wapiti Music Festival, for example, encodes ticket info in a QR Code that is inserted into the ticket file. When you arrive at the gate at Wapiti your QR Code, whether on your phone or printed on paper, is scanned. The information in that QR Code is looked up in a database which determines if it’s a valid ticket and whether it has been used yet or not.
This has several benefits. The majority of people don’t even print the ticket. It is easy to display on their smartphone and thus reduces the amount of paper used and thrown out. Also, the lookup time is almost instantaneous thanks to the gate volunteers scanning the tickets with their phones and not needing to type anything.
QR Codes are used on currency, in augmented reality systems, to link to songs and videos, to connect to wireless networks, and of course are becoming ubiquitous in advertising: keep an eye out for the giant Fernie Freestyle QR Code on the ski hill this winter as a local example. Most recently QR Codes have been used to look up whether or not you’ve been vaccinated. Want to see what it does? Download the BC Vaccine Card Verifier App from the app store and scan your codes. It will show your status and your name. Seeing the name associated with the code and assure you that the vaccine status belongs to the person being checked.
If you want to have more fun with QR Codes you can make your own. Recently a friend mentioned that she needs to generate QR Codes for her products, but she was paying for this service online. I was a bit surprised at this as QR Code generation is fairly trivial. Putting together a simple website to host the generation is not very challenging either.
So, I took a Sunday and decided to create a site to this that’s free. If you’d like to try my QR Code web page you can scan the QR Code accompanying this article. If you need a QR Code you can generate one and download it using that page.
So, next time your making up a poster for an event, printing a ticket for a show, want to quickly share a website with a group of people, create and include a QR Code. They’re fun and easy.
From Kevin, on The Fix
“I’m pretty sure I was in Jamochas reading the first Fix issue when Krista mentioned (may not have been to me) that she was looking for content. I offered to do a computer advice column. I intended that The Answer Guy would be my nom de plume but when the next issue came out it was the title of my column with my name below. It’s still that way 14 years and 11 months later.”
Wrapping up the year will be done in style and a sense of magic. The Sun travels in Sagittarius until Winter Solstice, where it enters Capricorn. Winter Solstice is 9h 35 min shorter than Summer Solstice.
New Moon at 12º occurs just past midnight on December 4 and Full moon occurs at 27º Capricorn-Cancer, just past midnight on December 19. Boundaries are a major theme with strong messages to those listening. This month actually has an incredibly palpable magical quality to it, so be receptive.
There is a theme of dedicated communication as the Sun travels with Mercury and Vesta all month. Venus travels in Capricorn close to Pluto in the sky, giving an intensity to the solemn and responsible energy in partnership. Mars travels in Scorpio until December 13. Partnership is at the forefront and it’s sultry and mature.
Chiron remains retrograde in the sky travelling through Aries which means we are collectively dealing with pain and transformation.
The last Saturn square Uranus occurs December 24 marking something major occurring.
Aries
A month dedicated to work with an extra intensity to loving the grind as there is lots of energy to show up and manifest the dream.
Taurus
A month of soul searching and spiritual growth. How do we show up in life? What do we want? Are we living out life from our pain body? Solemn truths.
Gemini
Ending 2021 with a bang. What you can do in this month will make all of 2021 worth it. Watch the power of the shape shift.
Cancer
An intense internal energy for you as many planets sit in Capricorn and show a giant
December 2021
by ASHLEY KRISTINA
Stock on up, it’s go time... go time...
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Y A M A G O Y A
mirror to your energy. A month of honest growth.
Leo
It’s a good month to find a counsellor, elder or mentor of some sort. We all need someone that we can look up to and learn from.
Virgo
A month of work, and Virgo’s secretly like all the to do lists. It can make Virgo’s come to life in their own way and the best way to see the work ahead is by seeing it as a fun, or a sacred, mission.
Libra
It’s a work-oriented month for your energy so make extra care to bring balance by nurturing self (baths, yoga, long walks), cleaning the home and cooking lots.
Scorpio
October, November and December are the strongest months you have had in literally years so watch how your life shifts at this time, and how your spirit can show up, to rise again.
Sagittarius
A hugely transformative and spiritual month for you. Pay attention to the blessings because they are all around.
Capricorn
A month dedicated to self, love and work, with a solemn intensity as Pluto and Saturn travel through your sign.
Aquarius
It’s a serious month for you with so much energy in Capricorn, and yet, on the flip side, there’s a lot of ethereal light energy to the month that if used correctly can translate to a satisfying creative force.
Pisces
A month of solemn truth to self. Piscean energies are the master escape artists and can be illusive even to their own self. A good month to align to truth.
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The Holidays, Through Your Lens
Photo by Vince Mo, @findingvmo
CP Holiday Train with Terri Clark in Fernie - December 2019
Holiday Season:
Reflecting back to the time we could gather in mass surrounded by our friends, family, and community. For many, 2021 just like the year before may have been another to write off. We can all spread a little cheer to our loved ones both near and far this holiday season just by reaching out and checking in. It may brighten up their day more than you’d imagine, and more than a train laden with festive lights and music ever could do…
...unless CP Rail happen to book the Foo Fighters for the next time it rolls through Fernie, then I take everything back.
Photo by Olivier Thorlakson @o_studio_photography
One of my favourite holidays is Christmas because of traditions celebrated around a warm fire.
For quite some time a family tradition has been making a pot of steaming hot potpourri during the holidays. The faint scent of orange and cinnamon fills the house with a welcoming smell. Often we use this to create gift bags for friends and family.
I remember the delight if waking up Christmas morning staring at the presents under the tree waiting to be opened.
Out in the Community:
Q. What do you most love about the holiday season?
Maddy Alaric
My favourite part of the holidays is always our Great Christmas Tree Hunt. We make a day of it by bringing sleds, warm drinks and snacks while we scope out our tree. The adventure of strapping it to the roof, bringing it home to decorate, eventually turning the lights on for the first time of the year gives me the warm and festive fuzzies.
Morgan Pulsifer
Sadie and Eric’s Eggnog party!
Ruby Yan-Burditt
My favourite part of the holidays is putting up the tree and watching holiday movies with the kids. Oh, and hot chocolate with a lot of whipped cream. We also love skiing Christmas Day and looking for all the Christmas lights with the family.
Ryan Schultz
I would have to say that my favourite parts of the holidays seem to evolve as I age. At the moment I would have to say that watching my children experience the holidays has to be the best part. As they grow up their experience evolves each year as well, and so I love embracing each year, because it is never the same again. Happy holidays!
Nicole Heckendorf
I love the few days right after the busyness of Christmas. We tend to have our best family mojo during this time. Whether we’re skiing or hiking, playing board games, baking or watching Christmas movies, everyone seems content and grateful.
Krista Turcasso
Since having kids, my absolute favourite part of the holidays is watching the excitement and joy my kids experience as they experience the same traditions we did growing up. It has really brought back the magic of this time of year and has made me appreciate my family and all that we have here in Fernie even more.
Vanessa Croome
One of the traditions the girls and I have is trekking out somewhere in the bush to find the “perfect” tree, one week before Christmas - no sooner! We put on a Christmas playlist and decorate the tree with our interesting collection of ornaments, many of them made by the girls when they were little. If I can get everyone to watch The Sound of Music with me for the 20th time, my Christmas wish has come true.
Salvation Army Fernie, facebook photo
It’s that time of year again, to help and support those who are less fortunate than us. The Fernie Salvation Army and Fernie Fresh Food Share play an integral part in this, through their Kettle Campaign and also collection of nonperishable items. If you would like to donate your time and make a difference this year, call 250-423-4661. This month, there are two wonderful and new exhibits to experience in town, alongside a pop-up local artisan show! At the Arts Station, enjoy Blue – a gallery show. This exhibit will showcase a selection of artists of varying experience levels. The pieces will be executed in a range of mediums and styles, all aligning with the theme ‘blue!” theartsstation.com. At the Fernie Museum, enjoy The Dragon Tamers which probes the history of snow avalanches and their impact on people and nature in Canada. Examining records, photographs, recordings and artifacts, it tells the tale of both technical success and tearful sorrow. ferniemuseum.com. Ace Ferguson Studio, created by the talented Kate Moran, is back in its seasonal space in the Fernie General Store, featuring the creative works of 10 amazing artists from around the Kootenays, including this month’s feature artist – Lisa Cloghesy-Martin! @AceFergusonStudio
Photo courtesy of FAR
This December, don’t miss your chances to visit with Santa Claus! The Park Place Lodge is back to hosting the popular Santa Claus Pancake Breakfast, Saturday December 18 and Sunday December 19 from 9am-noon! Book your space and find out more at parkplacelodge. com. Additionally, Santa can’t leave town without hitting the slopes! Head to Fernie Alpine Resort December 23 and 24 to catch him on the mountain! skifernie.com
Fernie Distillers, Open Mic Night
While we might not be able to dance and sing in a large and tight group setting, Fernie is starting to have a lot of options when it comes to live music! The Loaf and Kodiak Lounge regularly have acts playing over the weekends, to enjoy a glass of wine and a meal, or a pint of beer alongside. Additionally, the Fernie Distillery and Kodiak Lounge have weekly open mic sessions! Visit ferniefix.com/events for more details! Aysha Haines photo
Did you know, the Fernie Aquatic Centre recently had an exciting upgrade? Especially for those competitive swimmers… new, Swim Canada Standard starting blocks were installed, making Fernie a more attractive and viable venue to host sanctioned swim meets and enable competitive training! This upgrade was funded by the Resort Municipality Initiative and funds raised by the Elk Valley Dolphins Swim Club. The Fernie Writers’ Series is back, and with a big ‘wow’ factor! In November, Jon Turyk took to the stage as local author Angie Abdou led the discussion on his newest book, and now in December Steven Heighton will be at the Fernie Heritage Library to discuss his latest book and to also play from his album – yes album at the Distillery, the following evening. They have more up their sleeve in 2022… and it’s all wonderful! fernie.bc.libraries.coop
