ALL you do is scan it.
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A Mittagong-based website designer has created a new social networking tool designed to bring Highlands businesses closer to the community.
Qribit is the brainchild of Tony Simpson.
Mr Simpson said the tool would work by scanning Quick Response (QR) codes that could soon be found displayed in the windows of some of the region's businesses.
A QR code is a type of barcode that can be scanned using free smart phone applications, readily available to download.
The tool would then allow a person to "support" that business, similar to the way a Twitter user would "follow" another user.
He said the difference between Qribit and other social networking tools was that it was designed for Wingecarribee businesses to connect directly with customers and provide information and special offers.
It could also do away with traditional loyalty cards, with information stored on the Qribit website and accessed using a smart phone.
"It's angled as a way to support local businesses," he said.
"When you scan a code for the first time it will ask you to log in and then it will remember you.
"Then next time you scan something it will take you straight to your page."
Mr Simpson said the potential would be that someone could walk past a cafe, see a code in the window, scan it with their phone and find they just received a voucher for a half price cup of coffee.
The person could then take their phone inside and use their Qribit account to redeem the voucher, all by scanning their QR code.
He said the fact that a user would need to scan a code from either a shop window or an advertisement would help give business owners a real connection with the community.
"On Facebook you can have 12,000 friends, but you don't really have 12,000 friends," he said.
"It's more about quality over quantity.
"All businesses really need to do is ensure someone is on with a phone that can read the codes."
Mr Simpson said the tool would be free for people to use and he would offer free membership to businesses in Bong Bong Street to gauge public interest.
Visit www.qribit.com for more details.