The YouTube Community

Do you enjoy visiting YouTube? Whether you are interested in watching fun and entertaining movies for free or if you like making your own movies to share with other internet users, YouTube is the place for you. What is nice about YouTube is they are not only a video sharing website. With an online community section, YouTube, in a way, can also be considered a social networking site.

When it comes to visiting the YouTube community section, there are a large number of YouTube site visitors who wonder why they should do so. If you are one of those individuals, this is quite a normal feeling. As internet security has become a major concern, there are many individuals who are nervous about interacting with others on the internet. When using YouTube, namely the community section, you are advised to display caution, but you should be more than safe; in fact, you will likely have a good time.

The YouTube community works by making a few groups. For instance, one of the many groups found on YouTube is funny videos. If you have a funny video, you can request to have it displayed in the funny video group. If you are just a viewer, you may also be able to request to have some of your favorite videos in a certain YouTube community group, whether it is the funny video group or not. Not only will joining the YouTube community give you easy access to a number of videos that you are sure to like, it also gives you the opportunity to start discussions with other YouTube members, namely those who are participating in or enjoy visiting the same group.

If you are interested in joining a YouTube community group, you will need to click on the “Community,” tab, which can be found at the top of the YouTube webpage. There, you will be able to choose from a long list of YouTube community groups. As it was previously mentioned, funny videos is one of those groups. Under all of the videos that have been added to the group, you will see a discussions section. In a way, this section is like an online message board. There, you can post your own messages or you can respond to other messages left by other YouTube community group members. Joining a YouTube community group is nice because it automatically pairs you up with other internet users who enjoy the same interests, at least entertainment wise, as you.

In addition to joining the YouTube community groups, if you are also interested in interacting with other YouTube members, you may want to think about visiting the TestTube section of YouTube. You can access TestTube by clicking the “TestTube,” link, which is in small print at the bottom of each YouTube page. Right now, YouTube is working on a program, which you can try out, that lets internet users who are viewing the same videos discuss that video. In a way, this acts as if it is an online message board, but also an online chat room. While this feature is still in the experimental stages, it is sure to quickly become a YouTube hit.

As outlined above, YouTube isn’t just about watching and sharing videos. You can also join in on discussions that are currently taking place on the site. If you aren’t already doing so, you may want to look into it, as it only adds to the fun and excitement of YouTube.

Test Tube? What's That??

Are you an active member of the YouTube community? If you enjoy uploading and sharing your videos with others you should be. Even if you prefer to only watch videos online, not share your own, you may still be an active member of the YouTube community. If you regularly find yourself visiting the YouTube website, whether it is to upload your own movies or watch movies that others have posted, you may have heard of a program that is known as TestTube. TestTube is an idea that was generated by YouTube, although it is still in the testing period, you may find YouTube’s TestTube to be quite exciting, unique, yet useful.

As you can likely tell from the name and as it was mentioned above, TestTube is a program that was and is still being generated by YouTube. TestTube is where YouTube is currently testing a wide variety of different things; things that will likely improve the way that you watch or share videos on YouTube. When you think about it, YouTube is absolutely amazing. They are one of the largest online video sharing websites, as well as the most popular, yet they are still taking a number of steps to make the online video sharing experience even better.

Although the TestTube program isn’t necessarily referred to as a beta program, it can be considered one, as everything that is tested is still in the experimental phases. As it was stated above, many of things being worked on in YouTube’s TestTube are improvements to make watching and sharing videos online easier. To know if these ideas or improvements are actually working, they need other internet users to help test them out. This is where you could come in. If you were interested, you could request to join the YouTube TestTube program. You will not only find doing so fun and exciting, but you may also get a firsthand look at many of the changes or improvements that the folks at YouTube are trying to make.

Although the improvements or ideas being worked on in YouTube’s TestTube are likely to vary, you will find that many improvements or ideas are centered on watching videos. For instance, YouTube is currently working on an idea that allows you and other internet users, who are watching the same YouTube videos, to talk to each other, almost like a live, real-time chat. This is a little bit different then sending personal messages or leaving comments on a YouTube video page. Another unique idea currently being examined in YouTube’s TestTube, is the ability to add music to a video, as a watcher. In YouTube’s TestTube, you have the ability to swap out audio from a YouTube video from a long list of licensed songs that YouTube has permission to use.

The decision as to whether or not you want to visit the TestTube section of YouTube is yours to make, but it is definitely something worth looking into. You get to try out all of YouTube’s current ideas or improvements for free. For instance, I tried out a Beta feature that allows you to type in the name of a music artist, and the Test Tube will create a playlist of not only that artist but similar ones that you can check out. You are also encouraged to offer your suggestions as to whether or not you like them. This, in turn, could help to make your YouTube experience even that more memorable. If you are interested in taking part in YouTube’s TestTube program, you can find more information about the program, by visiting the YouTube webpage. In small print, at the bottom of each YouTube page, you will find a link with more information on TestTube.

Another Option - Google Video

Although YouTube is a great video sharing website to watch movie at or upload your own videos, you may be wondering about your other options.

One popular video sharing website is that of Google Video. Google Video is ideal for those looking to share their own videos, as well as those looking to watch a large collection of videos. From a viewer standpoint, Google Video has a large collection of videos currently available. In fact, they also have popular music videos or television shows available. The only downside is that many of these music videos and television shows are not free; however, only a small one-time fee is required to view them. As with YouTube, you can also upload your own videos to Google, once you become a member of Google.

When it comes to deciding which video sharing websites you would like to use, the decision is yours to make; however, you may want to consider examining both. No matter which video hosting website you choose, you will likely be pleased with your decision, as come highly rated and recommend.

I Want An Audience! Marketing your YouTube Video

Do you enjoy uploading videos that you made to the YouTube website? If so, you may be pleased with all of the traffic that you get. YouTube is known to get thousands of visitors a day. For you, this means that your YouTube videos may be watched by thousands of people or more! As much traffic as YouTube brings you and your videos, you may be looking for more. If you are, you will want to examine other ways to market your YouTube videos. Just a few of the many marketing approaches that you can take are outlined below.

Perhaps, the easiest way to market your YouTube videos is to let friends, family members, or coworkers know that you have videos available for viewing on YouTube. For the best chance of success, you are advised to email the direct links for your YouTube videos to those that you know. If you just happen to mention having your videos on YouTube to a friend in passing, let them know what your videos are about or what your YouTube screen name is. YouTube allows site visitors to browse through all of their videos or search for something in particular, like one of your videos.

Another one of the many ways that you can market your YouTube video is by having any of your videos appear on any websites or blogs that you have. What is nice about YouTube is that you can easily get a few HTML codes. Those codes will enable you or any other internet users to post a YouTube video online. It is not uncommon for bloggers to insert a YouTube video in their blog, by using generated HTML codes. It is advised that you post your own YouTube videos on your own websites, but if you know of anyone else who has a blog, you may want to think about giving them the needed HTML codes to have your YouTube video appear on their blog. In most cases, you will find that even strangers are willing to do so, as long as your YouTube video is connected, in one way or another, to their blog or website.

You can also market your YouTube videos on online message boards. Online message board marketing can be done two different ways. For instance, there are a large number of online message boards that let you discuss of share anything, in general, with other board members. You may want to think about posting links to some of your YouTube videos, especially if you think the other members would enjoy watching them. If you belong to an online message board or forum that allows you to have a signature, you will want to look into doing so. Your signature will always appear at the end of each of your messages; therefore, the more active you are online, the more exposure your YouTube videos are likely to get.

Now that you know a few ways that you can go about marketing your YouTube videos to other internet users, you may be wondering exactly why you should. As it was mentioned above, YouTube, alone, is likely to generate thousands of viewers for your videos. If you are looking for more views, whether just to increase your online popularity or to help you get new clients, if you connect your YouTube videos to your business somehow, you will want to take the time to market your YouTube videos. What is nice is that you have a number of different methods available, including the three mentioned above, and most are free. In fact, marketing your YouTube videos to other internet users isn’t only free, but it is easy to. Many marketing tactics will only take up a few minutes of your time, if even that.

The decision as to whether or not you want further market your YouTube videos is yours to make. If you find yourself unsatisfied or unhappy with your current YouTube viewer ship, you may want to think about doing a little bit of your own marketing.

Here We Go! Uploading Your Video to YouTube

As you already know if you've been following the previous posts, YouTube is a website that is often referred to as a video sharing website. It allows internet users, like you, to upload and share any videos that they have made. With a large number of members and site visitors, having your video or videos displayed on YouTube is likely to get your videos thousands of views!

If this is your first time uploading a video to the YouTube website, you may be wondering exactly how you can go about doing so. The good news is that uploading videos to YouTube is a relatively easy process. YouTube not only gives you step-by-step instructions on how to upload your videos, but they also provide you with video uploading tips; tips that will not only make it possible for your videos to be uploaded, but tips that will also help to improve their quality.

If you have used YouTube before, even just to watch videos, you likely already know that you need to have a YouTube account before you can start uploading and sharing your videos. Registering for you a YouTube account is not only free, but it is also easy. You only need to answer a few personal questions. For instance, you are asked your name, your zip code, the country you live in, your email address, your birth date, and your gender. Once you submit the registration form, you will be sent a verification email. Once you have followed the instructions in that email, you should be able to start uploading videos to YouTube right away.

Before uploading your video to the YouTube website, you will need to get it on your computer. Once you have done so, you will want to review it. This can be done with a movie editing software program. Should you wish to edit your video before submitting it to YouTube, now is the time to do so. When editing your YouTube video or saving it, YouTube encourages to you save it as a .Divx or .Xvid file. They also suggest making sure that your audio is in the .mp3 format. Once you have officially saved your video on your computer, you can begin to upload it to the YouTube website.

The first step is to make sure that you are signed into your YouTube account. Once you are, you will need to click on the “Upload Videos,” link, which can be found at the top of the YouTube website. You will then be brought to a page where you will be asked to describe your video. YouTube requests that you are descriptive as possible. Once you have entered in as much information about your video as you can, you will then need to click on the “Go Upload a File,” link. This will allow you to select a file from your computer; the file that contains your recently saved video. Once you have selected the right video, your video will automatically start uploading, after have confirmed your actions.

Speaking of the uploading process, you will find that the amount of time it takes for your video to upload to the YouTube website will vary. The larger your video file size is, the longer it will take for your video to upload to the YouTube website. In all honesty, YouTube states that it could only take a few minutes, but that it could also take as long as an hour. In addition to the size of your video file, the type of internet connection you have will also have an impact on your upload times. For instance, if you have a dialup internet connection, it will take longer for your videos to upload than it would if you had DSL or cable internet.

YouTube states that within twenty-four hours of your video being uploaded, your video should appear listed under the correct category, as well as appear in YouTube video searches. This is when your videos will start seeing the most views, as many internet users search for videos that meet their interests.

Let us know if you've posted anything on YouTube, and how it was for you!

Happy 4th of July!

Taking a break from my regular postings to wish everyone - especially our Armed Forces - a happy and safe 4th of July.

Now go watch some YouTube! :-)

Copyright Issues When Using Other People's Material

Are you interested in making your own video to be displayed on the YouTube website? If you are, you may be wondering what type of video you should make. While there are a large number of different YouTube videos that you can make and share with other internet users, there are certain types of videos that you may want to avoid. One of those videos involves video content that isn’t actually yours.

When it comes to making your own YouTube videos, you will want to make sure that the videos are actually yours. It is common to find videos on YouTube that have similar ideas or concepts; that is okay. What is not okay is actually using someone else’s work. This is actually illegal, as many videos, television shows, movies, and music videos are protected by copyright laws. Copyright laws aim to protect those who legally own a piece of work, like a television show, movie, or music video. Since someone else’s work is often protected by law, you could suffer serious consequences for using someone else’s work, especially if you try and claim it as your own.

What you need to remember about copyright laws is that they include every second or word of the piece in question. For instance, there are some YouTube video owners who think that they can show different clips of their favorite movies, music videos, or television shows. Many believe since they are not showing the item in its entirety, they are safe from breaking any copyright laws, but that is not how it works. You are required to seek permission from those holding the rights to a music video, movie, or television show before using any part of it, even a clip that only last a few seconds.

One aspect of copyrighting, that you need to take into consideration is, which many people are unfamiliar with, surrounds public venues or public events. Did you know that if you take a video of a popular sports event or a concert, you may be unable to post that video online? In most cases, you will find that no issue is raised by opposing parties, but you never really know until a problem arises. In many cases, the venue that hosted the event could claim that they have the rights to your video, as it documents an event that took place on their property. It is also not uncommon for the individual or individuals in question to claim that they own the copyright of any videos taken, as the video focuses on them. That is why you may want to proceed with caution before uploading sporting event videos or concert videos to the YouTube website.

As it was previously mentioned, there are consequences to violating copyrighting laws. In most cases, you will find that the consequences depend on the parties involve, as they often have the most say in what action is taken. If you post a video on YouTube and the video wasn’t yours or contains illegal clips, your video will likely be removed right away. As previously mentioned, the parties involves, most commonly the copyright owners, may wish to have you prosecuted or fined; the decision is often theirs to make.

As you can see, there are a number of different reasons as to why you need to be careful when making and sharing videos on the YouTube website. In all honesty, you just need to use your head. You wouldn’t want someone taking the credit for your hard work, would you?

Teens: Be Smart About Using YouTube

Are you a high school student who enjoys using YouTube? You might not only enjoy watching videos on YouTube, but you may also like to make and share your own videos. Even if you are in high school, you can do so with YouTube, as YouTube allows those thirteen and older to share their videos. While this can be fun to do, you need to display some caution when making your YouTube videos.

Display caution when making your YouTube videos? If you are wondering why you need to do so, aside from the obvious safety concerns, you might be wondering why all the worry. What you may not realize is that your online content, including your YouTube videos, may be watched by those who are associated with your school. Those views may come from your friends, other classmates, or even school officials. That is why it is extremely important that you thoroughly examine your YouTube video content and make sure that no harm can come to you later on.

When it comes to YouTube video content that you should avoid, particularly if you are a high school student, the most obvious is illegal activities. You do not want to have video of yourself or your friends drinking underage, doing drugs, or committing another crime, no matter how minor it may seem. As it was previously mentioned, you never really know who will come across your videos. With the way that high schools and gossip works today, if one of your classmates found a video of yours on YouTube it is likely that they wouldn’t keep that video to themselves; they will almost always share it with others that they know.

Another type of video content that you may want to avoid is content that is offensive to other students at your school. This type of content most commonly comes up in video blogs. Many internet users use video blogs to vent their frustrations or talk about their day. If you are a high school student, there is a good chance that you may want to discuss school, your friends, or your classmates. While this is more than possible to do, you will want to refrain from sounding too negative or even threatening. Although you may just be joking, “I’m so mad I could kill her,” could be taken out of context by someone viewing your YouTube video, whether it is a video blog or not.

As it was previously mentioned, one of the many individuals who could end up viewing your YouTube videos are your classmates or even school officials. While we would all like to believe that our classmates are cool, not all of them are. Should one of your classmates find a video on YouTube that they found offensive or poor in taste, they may report it to your school. Speaking of your school, your school officials may even come across your YouTube videos, as many schools are now using the internet, namely social networking sites, to monitor their students and their activities. Having illegal activities documented in your YouTube videos could spell trouble for you, in more ways than one.

When it comes to YouTube videos with illegal activities or threats documented in them, the consequences that you suffer, if any, will all depend on the school district in question. It is not uncommon for school districts to suspend students that they find doing illegal activities, even if those activities were not committed on school properties. Should you participate in extra circular activities, including sports, you have find yourself suspended from all sports teams or other school sponsored organizations, temporarily or even permanently. In serious situations, like where threats against other students have been documented, it is not uncommon for the authorities to be contacted.

As you can see, there are serious consequences to not thinking before making and sharing your videos on YouTube. All high school students, including you, are urged to think about your future, before using YouTube as a source of fun entertainment.

Don't Do It: Uploading Videos of Illegal Activities on YouTube

Do you enjoy uploading and sharing videos that you have made with others on YouTube? If so, you are definitely not alone, as YouTube is one of the most popular online video sharing websites. What is nice about YouTube is that they allow you to upload just about any type of video that you want. While you have the ability to upload just about any type of video that you want, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you should.

One type of video that you will want to refrain from sharing on YouTube is a video that documents you doing something illegal. On the YouTube website, it is not uncommon to find some videos that show individuals drinking underage, doing drugs, or worse. In fact, there have been videos documented on the internet before that showed people committing more serious crimes, like robberies or vandalism. There are some people; hopefully you are not one of them, who think that documenting illegal activities is cool and that it may actually make them seem like a cooler person. The reality is that your YouTube video may get attention, but it might not be from the people you had hoped to receive attention from.

Although not everyone does so, it is advised that you thoroughly read over all of the information you are given concerning YouTube and its operation. This information can easily be found by visiting the YouTube help center. There you will see that YouTube, in some instances, works with law enforcement. What does this mean for you? This means that should you share videos documenting illegal activities, YouTube may share those videos with the authorities. In most cases, you will find that this is only done with major crimes, like crimes that involve abuse or sexual assaults, but you still never know.

In addition to the possibility of YouTube notifying law enforcement when they come across as video that outlines a heinous crime, law enforcement offers are now turning to the internet all on their own. There have been cases discussed on the news before about how YouTube and other social networking websites actually resulted in a crime being solved. Unfortunately, a good portion of the general public mistakenly believes that their police officers do not have time to search the internet, but not many are beginning to do so. That is why it is extremely important that you do not document yourself committing a crime, no matter how minor it may seem.

Aside from the possibility of being caught committing a crime by law enforcement, you also need to worry about others viewing your videos; others who may also have a say in your life. For instance, if you are still in high school and one of your school officials caught you documenting yourself drinking underage or doing drugs, did you know that you could be suspended from school or school related activities? If you are not in high school, something similar may happen if one of your employers came across a video of you documenting yourself committing a crime. Depending on the seriousness of the situation, you may only receive a warning, but you may also lose your job.

As you can see, there are a number of different consequences to documenting yourself on YouTube committing illegal activities, no matter how large or small they are. That is why it is advised that you play it safe; keep all illegal or inappropriate content off of YouTube.