Holy Smokes! I cannot believe that I have never discovered this before! I knew that there were links on Facebook for YouTube, such as fan pages. But I had NO IDEA that I could actually post YouTube videos on my Facebook page.
Attn: Disembodied self! Being on two of my favorite websites in the same screen without having to open two different windows (although that wasn't hard, this is just sooo much easier).
The Facebook version is called YouTubeBox. The application can be easily added under your personal settings by clicking 'add application'. Then there is a slight introduction on how to manage your videos, and it even comes with two videos already posted.
This, was very odd. The two videos it had already placed on my page were something about a skateboarding dog, and another about a Miss Teen USA contestant....And I thought the Michael Phelps videos made me look like a weirdo.
Other than that, everything was pretty much the same as the original YouTube site, in terms of uploading and sharing videos. The search link appeared to pull up the same results as the original site. However, some of the specifications are not as apt to Facebook. Such as NYT's evil memory trick of saving what you often search and presenting you with similar videos.
Adding YouTube to Facebook is merely a step towards complete laziness, but it's still pretty sweet!
In an attempt to regain my appreciation, New York Times on-line has presented itself with another article, this time, once again, complimenting YouTube. This article outlines the potential benefits, us 'nobody's' can receive from making a fool of ourselves online on a daily basis.
We meet (if we hadn't already) Michael Buckley, who actually found so much success with his YouTube 'show' that he had to quit his 'real' job in order to focus solely on creating his YouTube cast.
He actually got his start on a small, part-time television show on the East Coast, where fans found his celebrity rants and parody's so entertaining they began posting his bits on YouTube. His popularity continued to build until he was one of the most searched phrases on YouTube. He is now earning over $100,000 a year from YouTube advertisers.
How does it work? So if I make a fool of myself and post it on YouTube, I'll start making nauseating amounts of money? I wish. First, you must build the fan base. Buckley said this took him over a year to accomplish. Once YouTube takes notice to the massive amount of fan hits, advertisers will take notice too. Advertisers then pay YouTube to display their products on the same page as Buckley's videos, and in return Buckley is compensated.
Now, he is not just handed this money. YouTube has a partnership program, with thousands of members that have applied and qualified to become members. On average only about 3% receive any substantial amount of compensation for their contributions.
I didn't realize how much I engaged in Dr. Bugeja's concept of changing nature of the home until I sat and really pondered it.
This is an idea where home used to be viewed as our refuge from the outside world. We would go home as a way to escape the business of our surroundings, and almost feel secluded. However, now, home is where I go to connect myself to the outside world. But with this, creates new issues of both privacy and security, even though it is self-induced.
Almost every time I get home, the first thing I do is set all my stuff down, walk into my bedroom, and turn on my computer. Usually it's another hour or so before I actually sit down and begin my venture into the outside world, but at least I know it's on and ready for me.
My first plan of attack is to check my NDSU e-mail, in case I receive any life-changing information from my professors, obviously. (Odd because I was just at school all day, any information I needed, I probably could have already received.)
Then, on to Facebook...I need to see what my friends are up to, right? A simple phone call, or the more common text message would be all too practical and time consuming, when I can reach out to everyone at once via Stalkerbook.
Occasionally I hit my MySpace page, just in case those few oddball friends of mine that don't have Facebook accounts have posted anything new on there.
THEN, my favorite part...YouTube. This is where I go to see what I missed during the day. Usually due to things such as being at work or class, however sometimes because of overlapping schedules. I would say my primary usage for YouTube lately would be viewing news casts or talk shows that I otherwise missed.
The Internet in general, and primarily YouTube give me an outlet to my world. I can be completely caught up on my day within about an hour of Internet surfing. It's wonderful and sad at the same time.
As I was reading a recent New York Times on-line article, I couldn't help but get a little upset, as well as find myself humored. Beinga Broadcast/Journalsim major, I am well aware of the fact that reporters are constantly looking for 'the next big story', and giving your stories a dramatic tone/twist is mandatory in keeping the readers attention...However, people that are contradict themselves annoy me.
Throughout the semester I have, with much thanks to Dr. Platt, been graced by the New York Times on-line articles constantly keeping me updated with YouTube, and new changes and strides it has been taking. Because, afterall, when I Google YouTube, it's pretty obvious what a majority of my results entail.
For the most part, NYT has had very positive things to say about YouTube, however this recent article, not only seemed badmouth YouTube, it also contradicted some of NYT's previous articles pertaining to YouTube.
Maybe I just feel this way because it goes against how Ipercieve YouTube...
The article basically rips on one of the things that I have stated in previous posts that I enjoy most about YouTube. The fact that YouTube has an identity vs. demographics approach to their broadcasting. It picks up on the fact that I (yes, I'm ashamed to admidt this) frequently search out different things about Michael Phelps, whether it be news casts, talk shows, or other things bestowing his awkward face. So now, everytime I log in to my channel (YouTube user account) I am presented with a few newer videos involving Michael Phelps, that YouTube feels I may be interested in watching. I LOVE this because it saves me time, and conects me to things I normally may not have found in my searches.
But, the NYT article argues that this is breaching a users sense of privacy, and if someone was searching for something that may be frowned upon by others, everyone will be able to view this, and judge them. The article continues to explain and emphasize how difficult it is to sift through the privacy settings to make your site more discrete...if I can figure it out, ANYONE can figure it out.
They continue by saying that there's no middle ground, and if you wish to partake in this community, you must be willing to compromise your secrecy. However, as I've stated in previous posts, that's absolutely not true...at all. You just can't post videos, or view videos that have been set to privacy settings (as in NOT public, NYT). But you are still welcome to view most videos.
I think that YouTube, as well as almost anything found on the Internet is a prime example of what Dr. Bugeja presents as trading privacy for convenience. We are offered so much technology through YouTube, but in return, we have to let others share in and witness what we are viewing.
Although it's probably pretty lame to be gawking over a gangly swimmer at age 23, but I'm okay with everyone knowing I'm a huge dork.
I will be the first to admit, that in the past few weeks, I have began getting a little bored with YouTube. I have my certain 'keywords' that I like to search, and I'm assuming, like other people, they are oftentimes related to current happenings. But once those events are not so happening anymore, the demand for videos subsides.
One example would be videos depicting key players in the Presidential election. Prior to November 4th you could find new videos about John McCain, Barack Obama and Sarah Palin (sorry Joe Biden) almost hourly. Now, they are few and far between.
Although usage on YouTube is still above and beyond that of almost every other website online, numbers have gone down. As a way to bring something new to it's viewers, YouTube is holding an event, open to anyone, on November 22nd, called YouTubeLive.
(info. from New York Times.com)
The event has a variety of guests/performers for viewers to enjoy. Singer Katy Perry, who has her own personal YouTube channel will perform. As well as the two hosts of Mythbusters, and other people who have become celebrities in their own right because of the growing popularity of their YouTube videos.
The website advertising this upcoming event, is immaculate in and of itself. There is SO much to look at like a countdown that gets down to the seconds until the premiere. As well as a list of featured performers. And advertisements for contests, such as "Name that Virgin Atlantic Airplane".
There are also other media facets available, such as a link to RSVP your attendance on Facebook, or add the event date to your YouTube account. Convergence perhaps?
The more I explore YouTube, the more I see how simplistically complicated it really is. I could be totally off on this idea, but I sort of feel YouTube to be a combination of convergence, collective intelligence, and transmedia storytelling. Now, let me explain....
As stated by our text, Convergence Culture, each of these terms, individually, can be defined as:
Convergence: The flow of content across multiple media platforms, and, the cooperation between multiple media industries.
Collective Intelligence: The ability of virtual communities to leverage the knowledge and expertise of their members.
Transmedia Storytelling: Stories that unfold across multiple media platforms, with each medium making distinctive contributions to our understanding of the world, a more integrated approach to franchise.
Now, I'll keep explaining...
After viewing this Guitar Hero World Tour commercial, I hope that several different mediums were apparent to you.
This is a commercial, which is a parody of a famous movie advertising a video game based on music starring professional athletes, on the Internet.
Now, I would hope that the convergence is rather apparent. There are six different mediums represented in a 30 second commercial. I think that collective intelligence is not too hidden either. Although a majority of the mediums were all professionally created, their placement on YouTube was not, and can easily be sought out by anyone who wishes to view it.
Finally, transmedia storytelling, slightly less self-explanatory. Although the merging of all six mediums does not come together to display an overall message, some extra knowledge is required.
Take for instance, if you are not very familiar with professional athletes. In this particular commercial, Alex Rodriguez (baseball), Tony Hawk (skateboarding), Kobe Bryant (basketball) and Michael Phelps (swimming), are featured. And each male athlete is wearing a piece of clothing that represents their particular sport. The first time that I saw this commercial I did not recognize Tony Hawk, therefore was very confused as to why one guy was wearing a helmet. I still enjoyed the commercial prior to learning who he was, however it made much more sense once I could identify with each character.
Other instances where this may be helpful? Younger generations (which presumably, this commercial is targeted for) are less likely to recognize this infamous scene from the film Risky Business which was originally performed by Tom Cruise. Again, the advertisement will still be enjoyable because it combines famous athletes with a popular video game, however, the entire effect will not be felt.
Executives for YouTube are discovering the lack of validity their website bestows upon viewers. With sites such as Hulu are attempting to overshadow YouTube, by making it appear young, juvenile, and under experienced.
Initially, when you visit the Hulu homepage, you are instantly greeted with a well-organized, visually-appealing array of options. Although the actual amount of video options Hulu offers is embarrassing compared to the millions + YouTube posses, Hulu's quality vastly outshines YouTube's quantity. Hulu also offers full length episodes and movies as opposed to the short clips found on YouTube. And, most importantly, all videos found on Hulu are posted by the actual creators, therefore no copyright infringements can be addressed.
BUT, and that's a big but...
I'm not turning my back on YouTube just yet. In hopes of becoming more credible, YouTube is in the process of 'growing up'. They have a long ways to go, but the intentions and prospects are good...
YouTube is gradually pulling themselves from their initial grassroots approach to media, in hopes of broadening their prospective (professional) users. Although YouTube does not intend to completely uproot, they are still inviting users to post their fan videos, spoofs, and musical tributes, they are trying to deflect illegal postings (such as videos without permission).
Some ways in which YouTube is 'growing up' you might ask?
They (YouTube) have established a VideoID system, which makes it easy to recognize whether or not the video in question was legally placed on the website, or not. If the video does not have the VideoID, the corporation who owns the rights to the video has two options. First, they can pull the video from YouTube. Or, second, they can add advertisement to the video.
In a much larger stride towards Internet maturity, YouTube has paired up with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). This partnership allows YouTube the rights to certain full length feature films, as well as complete episodes of television shows.
MGM currently has complete control over which shows and films will be featured on YouTube, and currently it is a very small selection, which hopefully will grow, as popularity increases. Production companies are hoping that a partnership with YouTube will help to diminish the 'pirating' of films and television shows.
Hopefully, this will help YouTube to keep up and be a valid competitor with Hulu currently and in the future.
I am a Senior at North Dakota State University, majoring in Broadcasting. Once I finish school I hope to (eventually) work as an anchor at an established news station, somewhere other than Fargo (hopefully).
