Why has YouTube become so popular? Unlike other video sharing websites, all videos are free and encourage anyone to submit videos. The premise of YouTube is that it is service to those who want to share their work with others and get feedback and/or comments from viewers. It has become a means of social networking for those who want to engage in an environment that draws people together. It is the most popular social network on the Internet today.
Social Networking: The Future
What direction is YouTube heading, what will look like 5 years from now? Will it still be on the web or will it be replaced with something better? The obvious answer is that it will be probably be surpassed like all other video sharing services on the Internet. However, it may very well evolve and keep current with the latest technologies and trends. Remember it was just over 20 years ago that computers started to enter homes.
Many people like to embed YouTube videos on their website or power point presentation for various reasons. Their longevity can not be guaranteed, one day access to the video will no longer be available. Do not rely on the life of these videos on YouTube; they are only there until the owner hits delete. However, the videos are meant to be used and enjoyed
YouTube: How does it Work
What is YouTube and how does it work? YouTube is a video sharing service that claims to be larger than MetaCafe or MySpace. Sharing is accomplished by letting anyone, who is registered, to upload videos for others to view. Videos may be viewed without registering. The subject of these videos can be on any topic, some common categories include:
- Animation
- Comedy
- Entertainment
- How to...
- News
- Events
- People
- Short stories
- Sports
- and many more other categories
Videos can be tagged (create a link), comments about the video can be posted, videos can be searched for by using keywords, and groups can be created for sharing videos under specific topic categories. YouTube can also be connected to blogging applications, as text or video blogs.
Social Bookmarking: Content Limitations
It has limitations on what can be uploaded and these restricted topics include:
- Pornography
- Nudity
- Defamation
- Cyber bulling
- Harassment
- Commercial advertisements
- Anything implying criminal intent
- Spamming
- Copyright infringement
People who submit videos want to be reporters, some are aspiring film directors, some want to musical directors one day, some are comedians trying out new material, and some are just creative people who want to demonstrate what they can do just for fun.
Online Videos: Uses and Limitations
YouTube works by registered users unloading (posting) a video file that they have created. The person uploading the video can:
- Make it public or restricted to specific groups
- Create links (tags) to e-mail to your friends
- Make a link to the video from your website so those that visit can see the video
- Embed the video in blogs
- Embed the video in web pages that are connected to the video topic
- The only player needed is Flash Player to view videos
- Windows Media Player, Real Player, and QuickTime play the videos
- The videos come to your computer by streaming
As with anything there are disadvantages with YouTube. People who post video clip segments of their favorite show for others to view are violating copyright laws. Copyright infringement is not allowed.
For addtional information visit YouTube.
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