Your Content Laid To Rest!

James used to work for Politico make videos every week day. I miss his take on American politics and current affairs. But the reason for featuring this video here is it tackles the issue of online accessibility. The internet has the power to make access easy for people, wherever they are. As he says, this does not always go down well with 'The Man'. (It's probably not helped by the fact that some of the web's most ubiquitous names still have yet to turn a profit.)

As a content provide to you make you content available to your users / followers / audience / customers? Or do you employ annoying layers of, seemingly unnecessary, login and verification is a blatant attempt to mine data? Heaven forbid you actually charge for what you upload!

I agree with James that the most important bits of information will leak round any form of online premium or protectionism policy. Putting a wall around your content could be the best way to let is rest in peace.

YouTube University...only on YouTube!

I've just seen this from fallofautumndistro...



Need I say more? Only that I probably charge less than he does!

Seriously, while this is brilliant parody it never ceases to amaze me how many people struggle to understand the intricacies of YouTube. No one knows it all - although Nalts seems to have it pretty figured out and Renetto will tell you all the problems that need fixing! But the thing I've noticed is, almost without exception, people on YouTube are prepared to talk. They'll discuss the site, give you tips and predictions for where online video is going. So if you're feeling in need of some education just ask!

Stream it...

Much has been said already about Sarah Meyers' exclusive that, the now Google funded, YouTube will unveil its own live streaming functionality this year. As vague news goes this is up there with the best of them. A broad concept and ten months of 2008 in which to make good on a throw-away comment. Hardly a strategic announcement!

But, IF they do deliver will it work? What YouTube has going for it over any other streaming start-up is consistent, and high, levels of traffic. As live streaming is time specific you want to know there are going to be people around to watch what you're broadcasting. For this reason alone I see no reason my YouTube won't dominate this area of online video by the end of 2008.

Bubbles or froth?

An interesting post from Inside Online Video drew my attention to one of YouTube's lastest tinkerings. They've been playing with a few things over the last couple of days. I don't like the new 'my account' page. It adds another click to finding your video comments. As this is something I do regularly I'm already noticing just how much a simple navigation change can annoy me!

But this post is about the bubbles! Yes, YouTube have launched some strange - read gimmicky - navigation that's supposed to make finding linked videos easier. I messaged Peri Urban about this. I liked his thoughts on it, so here they are.




Peri also has a music channel on YouTube and a blog.