Do You YouTube?
There are certain website names that just stick with us. Even if you’re not a big website surfer, you’ve most likely heard of Google, Amazon, and YouTube. Well, today let’s learn what YouTube is all about.
YouTube is a website that allows anyone with a computer, tablet, or smartphone, along with access to the Internet, to upload and share a video for all to see. (Upload is just like download— it means to move or copy files from one place to another. In this case from your computer, tablet, or smartphone to YouTube’s website.)
YouTube clips aren’t usually more than a few minutes long. Be warned: YouTube runs the gamut from nostalgic clips of past television shows, to Maria Callas singing at the Met, to newsworthy current events, to practical how-to videos, to juvenile, armpit-fart pranks and worse. You select video clips to view based on your interests or you can view those “recently added” to the site, “most viewed”, “top rated”, and so on.
Click in the search box at the top of the website to type in keywords for what interests you and then click on the magnifying glass to the right of the search box. Skip over any of the search results that have the word “AD” in yellow. Those are advertisements and are not really results from your search.
When my nephew, Nic, recently rode a horse for the first time, I sang the theme song from “Mr. Ed” The Talking Horse. Nic, 6 years old, looked at me as though I might have fallen off a horse and hit my head. I was determined to prove my sanity and, thank goodness, I found validation on YouTube…You can type “Mr. Ed” in the search box to brush up on those forgotten the lyrics. Be sure to turn on your speakers, if they have been muted, and click on the play arrow. (Circled below in red.)
Below are suggestions of phrases for you to search for when you get a chance to visit YouTube.
“birks organ” – Birk Petersen e-mailed me, after reading my book, and sent the link to this amazing hand crank organ that he designed and built.
“sand drawing” – Kseniya Simonoya’s sand art is extraordinary.
“famous failures” – If you’ve never failed, you’ve never lived. This video reminds us that failure is just a stepping stone to success.
Search for me on YouTube and you’ll discover video clips of my classes, lectures, and TV interviews (clue: youtube.com/AskAbbyStokes – no spaces).
If you want to upload a digital video file onto YouTube, it’s free. Just be careful about what you choose to share. You don’t want to post anything that gives away too much personal information about you or anything that might jeopardize your job, relationship, or, in the case of younger folks, chances of getting into the college of their choice. Anyone can visit YouTube, so your submission is there for all to see. Remember, Uncle Bert may not appreciate that impersonation of him being seen worldwide.
Let me know when you’ve posted a video. I’d love to see it!
If you’ve never watched a video before visit me at AskAbbyStokes.com and click on “First Time Visitors” at the top right. There you will find a video that gives you tips about watching videos.
Happy YouTubing! (I think I just made up a word.)
