“Broadcast Yourself” - YouTube

YouTube: it’s not only a Web site; it’s a social revolution. The video-sharing site, started in 2005, has exploded in popularity, with nearly 100 million videos watched daily. The site allows users to upload videos they have taken or watch videos other people have uploaded. From politics to the downright silly, YouTube has become a household name for Internet users.

We’ve all seen the funny videos…now how does it actually work?

Basically, YouTube is what Georgia Tech students would call, “a video sharing network, operated by Macromedia’s downloadable plug-in, Adobe Flash Player, which displays high-quality, sometimes streaming, video.” In laymen’s terms, a user can download a plug-in and begin watching videos other people have recorded and uploaded to the Web site. Sometimes, users can even watch videos in real-time. I read somewhere that this year’s presidential election is being called “the most democratic election in American history.” I give YouTube the credit. They partnered with CNN during the 2008 Presidential Primaries and urged Americans to upload video questions for the potential presidential candidates. The candidates gave answers to selected questions in a televised (and YouTube-ed!) debate,. Through YouTube, the candidates were able to reach out to a wider audience and Americans were able to directly take part in the election process.

Okay, I’m sick of politics…how does YouTube help me, the regular guy?

YouTube has definitely made celebrities out of Joe-Schmoes. We’ve all been there: first, you get an e-mail from a friend with a YouTube link. You follow it, watch Charlie bite his brother’s finger and decide you’ve got to pass it along to your family and a few of your friends. Ah ha! We’ve just witnessed the birth of a viral video, an Internet video clip that becomes widely popular (unusually so for kids in middle school) through word-of-mouth. Athens, Ga. even has its own YouTube celebrity, the vulgar homeless “Rack ‘Em Willie.” His video is an inspiration to all: one day homeless…the next…YouTube sensation.

How can I contribute to the YouTube community?


Think you’ve got the dance moves that rival J. Lo’s? Aspiring to become a country singer and want record executives to see your stuff? Just have a crazy talent that grosses everyone out? Well, sounds like the YouTube coummity is for you.

Anyone on the Internet can watch videos, but YouTube only allows its users to upload videos for others to watch. To do this, you must first create an account with the Web site. Uploading videos from there is as easy as confirming your e-mail address, selecting a video you’ve already uploaded to your computer and clicking “upload” to add the video to YouTube. From there, you can add tags to your videos so your friends can find them and create a profile by uploading more videos to your account. Just be sure, however, your video does not contain inappropriate or copyrighted content, or it will be removed from the Web site.

Besides uploading, you can also comment on and rate other people’s videos as a member of the YouTube community. By creating a profile, or “channel,” other YouTube members can see information about you, like how long you’ve been a YouTube member and how many videos you’ve watched or add you as a friend. YouTube even suggests videos you may like and gives you the option of adding these videos to a “QuickList” for later viewing.

Here’s to hoping you become the next viral video sensation like this guy. Happy uploading!

By: Kelcie Chambers