If you've mastered online photo sharing using a website like Picasa or through uploading to Facebook, did you know that it's equally easy to share videos over the Internet? YouTube is a website that makes online video posting accessible to virtually anyone with the ability to shoot video. Whether you want to share a video message with the world, social network friends or Grandma, YouTube has tools to make it easy and fun.
YouTube isn't just for hobbyists. It even has captured the attention of television networks and movie studios that use it to publicly post trailers or entire television shows. If you've sees a funny commercial that you want to show your coworkers, you'll probably find it on YouTube, too. And, if reruns on TV have you aimlessly channel surfing, check out original shows offered exclusively online by "Internet TV producers."
What It Is
YouTube is a free service that has grown and evolved into a powerful online community where people can watch, post and discuss videos. Anyone can visit the site and watch millions of publicly shared videos. If you want to comment about videos or share videos privately, you'll need to register as a user.
An Engaging Community
Technically, YouTube works thanks to Adobe Flash Video technology, but what really makes it work as an online service is its ability to engage users and create buzz. For starters, users can rate YouTube videos with up to five stars. Top-rated videos are more likely to be recommended to viewers or fall in the "featured" category.
On YouTube, it's incredibly easy to share your own or another's video content. You can email video links or use built-in, single-click tools for showing friends on MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Digg and other social networking sites what you've been watching-and tell them what you think about it. If you have a blog or website, YouTube provides you with the code you need to embed videos, too. No matter how you choose to share, your friends will be able to share it with their friends who will share it with their friends who will share it with their friends.You can imagine how quickly a video can "turn viral."
After watching a YouTube video, the site makes every attempt to keep you engaged by recommending other similar videos you may want to watch. You can very quickly go from watching one video to spending your whole evening on YouTube.
Your Broadcast Station
If you are ready to share your own videos, there are several options for making your debut. You can instantly record and post video using your computer's webcam, iPhone 3G-S and some newer iPods. Although it may take an extra step or two, sharing digital video taken with a Flip video camera or camcorder is still noobie-friendly as long as the video is less than 2 GB in size and 10 minutes long.
When uploading a video, it's especially important to determine if you want it to be a publicly or privately shared. Choosing the private setting means only 25 other people will be able to access your video and you will not be able to use some of YouTube's video sharing features.
If you decide to share your video with the world, be sure to add tags. Tags describe your video and will help your video appear as relevant results to searches for the words in your tag.
Your New Obsession
If you haven't already tried YouTube, hopefully this brief introduction will give you the confidence you need to start exploring and experimenting. Whether you are a video watcher, video poster or both, YouTube has plenty to keep you engaged, informed and entertained. Here are just a few ways YouTube might enhance your life.
Video Watching
* See the Super Bowl commercials you missed while getting another snack.
* Watch news from other states or countries and compare it to local coverage.
* Look for your child's favorite shows or performances of his favorite songs.
* Find a person or "channel" with content you like and subscribe so you'll be notified about their new posts.
* Listen to videos. Some videos aren't videos at all but a way to post music, speeches or other audio content.
Video Posting
* Record yourself reading a bedtime book to your grandchild who lives far away.
* Create a video blog post so your readers can see you in action.
* Send video birthday greetings to someone far away.
* Share video of your child in her first performance with grandparents or other relatives.
* Record sports practice and make the video available to everyone on the team.
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