# Frequently Asked Questions
# Why QR Codes?
QR Codes are the most widely supported 2D barcode format for cell phone camera readers. For Tagger to be successful, the tags need to be readable by as many devices as possible and that means using QR Codes.
# Why Now?
When I first started this project, the world of 2D barcodes was embroiled in patent disputes that made investing in the technology problematic. Those disputes have been settled.
Only recently has the cost of the technology become affordable enough to do this type of project at scale.
The important technologies that are required to make Tagger include:
- Ubiquitous mobile phones with high resolution cameras.
- A universally accepted method for encoding URLs into a machine readable format (QR Codes).
- Cloud computing.
- Low cost storage.
# How Long Will Tagger Tags Last?
Like they say, nothing lasts forever. The design goal of Tagger is that a tag should be readable using commonly available devices for at least a couple of decades. The system is based on industry-standard technologies. There is little risk of QR Codes being obsolete anytime soon. URLs will remain easy to interpret for many years.
Tagger text is stored in JSON format and should be easily readable. File attachments are a bit more complicated.
While I anticipate Tagger being around for many years, if something should happen and the service stops, every user will be notified and given the opportunity to download all their data and move to a different solution.
Please keep your email address current.
# What If I Lose A Tag?
If you lose a tag, open the Tagger dashboard and print another copy. There is nothing special at all about the tag, it only contains a URL. As long as you put the URL in a format the device reading it can understand, it should work.
The Tag URL
You can view the tag URL by expanding the Metadata section of tag details.
