WebRev Blog

As you may know, YouTube, the popular video sharing site, has been owned by Google since 2006.  For the last few years, anyone with a Gmail account has been able to sign into YouTube with his or her Google username and password.  But YouTube's "look" and "feel" didn't change very much, except for a few updates to for those wanting to create "channels" (fancier sharing pages).

Well, last week, Google updated the user interface on YouTube to integrate more seamlessly with its "Google Plus" social networking site.  Users don't need to necessarily have a Google Plus account to use YouTube, however.  The interface between YouTube and Twitter, Facebook, and Orkut (whatever that is) is also much easier. 

Instead of focusing on "finding friends," YouTube encourages you to "add channels," which is the same as "following" a page or group on Facebook.  You'll receive notices of uploaded videos to whichever channels you have added (notice: you no longer "subscribe" to other users' content, you just "add" their channel).  Of course if you don't have any friends, YouTube will find some for you - the suggestions are in the lower left of your home page.  The suggesions are based on recent searches you have done on Google and channels you have previously subscribed to, among other factors. 

The whole idea is pretty smart, and is likely to help users quickly find content of interest.  I really like the new format, and find it extremely intuitive and user-friendly (one of Google's forte's).  As with every other "smart" technology, privacy can be an issue.  If you really don't want your video searching integrated with your web searches or your Facebook feed, you can simply use YouTube (or Google search, for that matter) without signing in. 

Obviously, if you have more than one online ID, or if your computer is used by more than one person in your household, the channel suggestions might be more confusing than "smart."  If you're signed in to Facebook under your "professional" account, and into YouTube under your "friends and family" profile, the potential for awkward mistakes and misundersandings exists if you try using the automatic sharing feature (your clients and customers might wonder why you're sharing cute kitten videos with them), so you 'll need to be vigilant about always signing out of each profile when you leave the site if this could be an issue for you. 

Overall, though, I like the change.  The sharing features have been availalbe for awhile, but now they're more obvious, and user-friendly.  To learn more, go HERE and HERE, or check out the video above.

I sat down one night early this week to enjoy a luscious Porter Peaches (yum!), and catch up on my puppy and kitten videos (those are important!).  I wanted to send one to a friend, but the problem is that it was too long.  Just like the one below is too long. Yes, in the internet age, a cutsie video that lasts longer than your average TV commercial is too long.  Your audience will get bored.

Plus, on this video, the first half is a little unnerving, because until the huge dog actually lies down you wonder if he's going to eat the kitten.  Oh, sorry. I was supposed to say "spoiler alert" before I wrote that. 

Anyway, when you embed a video like I've done below there are a few options available (I could have shown related videos, for example).  But one thing I just discovered today was that if I were to just link to the video in an email or on Twitter, I can control where the video starts playing.  This is done from the YouTube video, by clicking "Share" then "show options" then adjusting the "start at" time before copying the link.  I've done that HERE, to start the video at 1 minute 30 seconds.  Or, you can watch the full version below.  Don't worry - the kitten is fine. Oh, I forgot that spoiler alert again.

Regardless of how you feel about them, there's no denying the British Royal Family knows how to put on a good show.  It's hard to imagine there is anyone left in the world who doesn't know that Prince William is getting married today...very early in the morning in U.S. time zones.  Following are some resources for either watching it online, or catching up after you wake-up.

The wedding will be livestreamed (and probably available for replay) HERE on YouTube.

You can attend the Facebook Event, and interact with other Royal Watchers on The British Monarchy's Facebook Page.

Find out about how you can donate to a charity in honor of th event on The Royal Wedding's Official Webpage.

You can get a really cheap simulated knock-off of Kate's ring (complete with a hinged decorative velveteen box to keep it in...because you're going to be too embarassed to actually wear it) HERE (I do not recommend this, but the video is funny).

If you want to watch the wedding complete with snarky fashion commentators, check out E! Online's live coverage.

You can follow the @BritishMonarchy on Twitter, and also the #royalwedding hashtag.

Finally, you can check out photos of the British subjects and fans from around the world who have made the trek to be near the event on Flickr.

Also see: Who does this Facebook user think she is...the Queen of England?! Oh, good morning, Your Magesty.

Jennifer Pointer (e-mail) is in Tulsa, OK. She promotes a simple, a low-tech approach to effective online profile management, search engine optimization and social networking. 
 

Ok, now it's official: Everyone is on Facebook.  Even the Queen of England, and Her Royal Court.  Those who are fascinated with the lifestyle, comings and goings, and activities of The British Monarchy can now keep up with them in their Facebook news feed. 

I was surprised (and pleased) to see that at least for now, whoever is managing the page is allowing comments from fans of the page.  You can't post to the wall directly, but you can comment on posts that the page admins put up, including photos, news stories, and videos (yes, there is a Royal YouTube Channel). There is a warning that offensive comments will be deleted.  That seems reasonable. Of course if you're not on Facebook, you can also follow the @BritishMonarchy on Twitter.

This page just went "live" this morning, and aA I've been writing this post, the page has gained over 1,000 fans, bringing the total 67,436, and that number is sure to grow rapidly throughout the day and week.

Overall, I'm impressed.  While the page itself is not "spectacular" in terms of the use of technology (it's a pretty basic Facebook page), it is professional, yet "friendly."  In America, we are sometimes led to believe that the Royals are a bit "stuffy" or "snobbish" in their interactions with people.  I suspect this is mostly due to their need for high-level security (for understandable safety purposes), and centuries worth of tradition and formality that we may not understand.  But, at least in the world of technology, the Royal family is demonstrating a sincere desire to keep up with the times, and maintain contact with its subjects and the rest of the world.  For this, I think they deserve a hearty, American, "Good job, y'all!"

Jennifer Pointer (e-mail) is in Tulsa, OK. She promotes a simple, a low-tech approach to effective online profile management, search engine optimization and social networking.