I believe the most prevalent use of YouTube is for entertainment purposes. I check daily for new videos from the Game Grumps, and every once in a while I watch one of Epicnamebro's many video game lore videos. Add to Northinlion's "Binding of Isaac" let's plays and several other videos I get the inkling to watch and you know the majority of my background noise while I'm playing my games. I used to use YouTube for listening to music, but the introduction of grooveshark.com and slacker radio, to at least some extent, eliminated that.
In addition to entertainment, YouTube is an incredibly useful tool for learning. Several websites make it possible for anyone to publish a set of instructions, but it is difficult to follow text only tutorials (along with the issue of reliable information). With YouTube, it is far easier to find the instructions you want in video form. Videos are much easier to follow, and you can see if the instructions actually work before trying it out yourself.
As far as uploading videos, I have in the past, but I deleted most of them. Lately, I've been collecting the things I need to do a let's play of my own. I have no idea how good it will turn out, but I might as well give it a shot. Most of the tools are at my disposal now, I just need a game to play.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
My New Twitter
There isn't a lot to say for this one. I never used Twitter so it just got pushed to the side and wasn't used...at all. I still have the default profile image and profile settings (which I'll be changing shortly).
I have followed anyone also following @enmdsu. I'll try to make a habit of tweeting.
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| I think it really shows off my eyes |
I have followed anyone also following @enmdsu. I'll try to make a habit of tweeting.
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| It's further than I got on my last account. |
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Getting Discovered
Second only to content in the blog (and in some cases more important) is the design. A layout that is simple creates an inviting atmosphere for the reader to dine on the information as they wish. Nothing gets me to close a webpage faster than a cluttered mess of text, images, and multicolored links. Unless, that is, the page is black with white text (in some cases it works, but this is rare).
Looking at the Madison Area Arts Council blog, I find that the tattered edges of light gray adds to the ambiance, but stays away from the actual content and doesn't interfere with my ability to read what is there. The titles of the posts are easy to pick out from the other information that may be a little less relevant. Information like who wrote it, which is still there in a lighter gray. We read it, but it does not take away from the bulk of the content.
Once the layout is glued in, the trick is to find a way to get the word out. Now you need posts that people will find interesting and relevant to them. Introducing a blog about art to an audience that is more interested in computers or the outdoors may not get as much publicity as introducing it to other artists (who will pass it on to other artists if they like what they see).
The Madville Times displays a number of stories involving gun control details and detrimental use of Facebook because these are popular, controversial topics that pique the readers' interest. These are also stories that the local paper would likely avoid, which brings the knowledge hungry readers looking for information. This information gets passed around like desserts on holidays to friends and family of the original readers because it's in short supply. To put it simply, Madville Times found a niche that could be filled and gained popularity through doing so.
How do you feel about a company or individual buying a blogger's voice to promote a product, and does the inclusion of money eliminate the possibility of an honest product review? Has your blog allowed you to get in contact with any potential buyers for your own product?
Looking at the Madison Area Arts Council blog, I find that the tattered edges of light gray adds to the ambiance, but stays away from the actual content and doesn't interfere with my ability to read what is there. The titles of the posts are easy to pick out from the other information that may be a little less relevant. Information like who wrote it, which is still there in a lighter gray. We read it, but it does not take away from the bulk of the content.
Once the layout is glued in, the trick is to find a way to get the word out. Now you need posts that people will find interesting and relevant to them. Introducing a blog about art to an audience that is more interested in computers or the outdoors may not get as much publicity as introducing it to other artists (who will pass it on to other artists if they like what they see).
The Madville Times displays a number of stories involving gun control details and detrimental use of Facebook because these are popular, controversial topics that pique the readers' interest. These are also stories that the local paper would likely avoid, which brings the knowledge hungry readers looking for information. This information gets passed around like desserts on holidays to friends and family of the original readers because it's in short supply. To put it simply, Madville Times found a niche that could be filled and gained popularity through doing so.
How do you feel about a company or individual buying a blogger's voice to promote a product, and does the inclusion of money eliminate the possibility of an honest product review? Has your blog allowed you to get in contact with any potential buyers for your own product?
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Five Shots or Six?
Hey guys, I just finished my second iteration of my Foundations video (I was less than enthusiastic about how my first video involving a Minecraft contraption turned out. I wish that I would have had more time for the detail work, but I was limited by time (wasn't able to start shooting until mid afternoon the day before the video was due, and couldn't start editing until late) as well as my lack of experience in video creation.
That being said, I decided to poke some fun at the obsessive consumption of ammunition in action movies, and I also enjoyed playing with the new toy I bought over summer and have only shot 3 or 4 days since.
I'm a little upset with myself that I didn't bring other guns along with to play with while making the video, just to add a little spice. Although, I did finally find a use for the sample music on Windows.
That being said, I decided to poke some fun at the obsessive consumption of ammunition in action movies, and I also enjoyed playing with the new toy I bought over summer and have only shot 3 or 4 days since.
I'm a little upset with myself that I didn't bring other guns along with to play with while making the video, just to add a little spice. Although, I did finally find a use for the sample music on Windows.
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