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Tampilkan postingan dengan label Videos. Tampilkan semua postingan
Bing Jingle, Not So Good
A few weeks ago, we reported that Microsoft had launched a contest for a jingle about Bing – the company’s new search engine. The winning jingle would bring the creator $500.
The company has just announced the winner and, according to TechCrunch, "as bad as the jingle is, the video is much, much worse. It’s some guy in pajama pants doing really bad interpretive dance nonsense with awful effects and a Bing backdrop."
Take a look for yourself. It is awful. It looks like those voting for the videos might have had a little fun with Microsoft.
The company has just announced the winner and, according to TechCrunch, "as bad as the jingle is, the video is much, much worse. It’s some guy in pajama pants doing really bad interpretive dance nonsense with awful effects and a Bing backdrop."
Take a look for yourself. It is awful. It looks like those voting for the videos might have had a little fun with Microsoft.
Traditional Library Services in the 21st Century: A Visit to the Digital Bookmobile
I dropped by the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn today, to see the OverDrive Digital Bookmobile. OverDrive is one of our vendors of downloadable titles – those audiobooks, ebooks, and videos that you can download directly from our website to your computer, no matter where you are or what time it is, as long as you have an Internet connection and a Troy Library card.
The Digital Bookmobile is a 21st century take on a traditional library service. It is an 18-wheel tractor-trailer that houses interactive exhibits which explain what downloadabes are, and which show how to use them. The company is bringing its Digital Bookmobile to area libraries to promote this popular service.
The Dearborn Library organized a nice event, with a county fair feel. As I approached the area, I could see several tents: cookies and key chains distributed by the Library Friends; a drawing for two Sansa mp3 players held by the Library staff; information provided by OverDrive; and even a trio playing music.
But nothing was as impressive as the Bookmobile itself. It was huge. It is one thing to read about an 18-wheel tractor trailer outfitted with enough electronic equipment for a small library; it is another thing to see it close up, painted in the pastel company colors.
Upon entering, I first encountered a screen – several, in fact – explaining what downloadables are.
After viewing this well-done, introductory explanation, I moved into the next area of the bookmobile that housed about a dozen computers – both PCs and Apples. Here, visitors could sample a selection of audiobooks, ebooks, and video. I listened to a few minutes of The Cat in the Hat. The quality of the recording was sharp, and the presentation was pleasant and user-friendly.
I then moved to the next section of the mobile where there were several portable devices on display – from an Apple iPod to a Sony Reader.
The OverDrive staff helpfully explained to visitors the downloading process, and what the strengths and weaknesses of the various devices were.
After I left the Bookmobile, I spoke for a few minutes with Julie Schaefer, the Library’s Deputy Director. She was very enthusiastic about the public response to the Bookmobile, and to the Library’s downloadable service. Indeed, in the few minutes I was there, a steady stream of Dearborn Library users entered the Bookmobile.
Julie reminded me that several libraries were reporting increases of up to 100% in downloadable use after a visit by the bookmobile. As Dearborn and Troy have been in a friendly competition to see which library could generate the most use of this service, she was please that her library would certainly see a bump in activity. (From January through July, Troy was just edging out Dearborn in total OverDrive use.)
Congratulations to Julie and her staff for a great outreach and public relations event. It will certainly improve the recognition and use of downloadables throughout the area.
We are hoping to have the OverDrive Bookmobile come to Troy within the next several months. In the meantime, if you would like to try this service, go to the Troy OverDrive site, or drop by the Library’s Technology Desk, and we’ll show you why this service is so convenient and popular.
The Digital Bookmobile is a 21st century take on a traditional library service. It is an 18-wheel tractor-trailer that houses interactive exhibits which explain what downloadabes are, and which show how to use them. The company is bringing its Digital Bookmobile to area libraries to promote this popular service.
The Dearborn Library organized a nice event, with a county fair feel. As I approached the area, I could see several tents: cookies and key chains distributed by the Library Friends; a drawing for two Sansa mp3 players held by the Library staff; information provided by OverDrive; and even a trio playing music.
But nothing was as impressive as the Bookmobile itself. It was huge. It is one thing to read about an 18-wheel tractor trailer outfitted with enough electronic equipment for a small library; it is another thing to see it close up, painted in the pastel company colors.
Upon entering, I first encountered a screen – several, in fact – explaining what downloadables are.
After viewing this well-done, introductory explanation, I moved into the next area of the bookmobile that housed about a dozen computers – both PCs and Apples. Here, visitors could sample a selection of audiobooks, ebooks, and video. I listened to a few minutes of The Cat in the Hat. The quality of the recording was sharp, and the presentation was pleasant and user-friendly.
I then moved to the next section of the mobile where there were several portable devices on display – from an Apple iPod to a Sony Reader.
The OverDrive staff helpfully explained to visitors the downloading process, and what the strengths and weaknesses of the various devices were.
After I left the Bookmobile, I spoke for a few minutes with Julie Schaefer, the Library’s Deputy Director. She was very enthusiastic about the public response to the Bookmobile, and to the Library’s downloadable service. Indeed, in the few minutes I was there, a steady stream of Dearborn Library users entered the Bookmobile.
Julie reminded me that several libraries were reporting increases of up to 100% in downloadable use after a visit by the bookmobile. As Dearborn and Troy have been in a friendly competition to see which library could generate the most use of this service, she was please that her library would certainly see a bump in activity. (From January through July, Troy was just edging out Dearborn in total OverDrive use.)
Congratulations to Julie and her staff for a great outreach and public relations event. It will certainly improve the recognition and use of downloadables throughout the area.
We are hoping to have the OverDrive Bookmobile come to Troy within the next several months. In the meantime, if you would like to try this service, go to the Troy OverDrive site, or drop by the Library’s Technology Desk, and we’ll show you why this service is so convenient and popular.
Sing about Bing and Win $500
Microsoft has launched a contest that invites you to sing a jingle about Bing – the company’s new search engine which has launched to positive reviews. Just create a video of yourself singing (no more than 5 minutes long) and upload it on Bing’s YouTube channel by July 31. Then, have all your friends vote on it, and you could win $500. Voting has begun and will continue through August 5.
Read the contest rules.
[via TechChrunch]
Read the contest rules.
[via TechChrunch]
Interested in Teleconferencing? Win $3,000!
Interested in teleconferencing?
You might want to check out the “Why I Want Cisco TelePresence” viral video contest.
The contest is designed to entice individuals to submit their ideas about why or how they would like to use Cisco Telepresence, a teleconference tool that the computer software and network company promises will provide “an immersive in-person experience.” Winners in two categories, Productivity and Shaping the Future, have a chance to win $3,000 each.
Just make a video about how teleconferencing would be useful to you and upload it to the Cisco site. You don’t have to be a Tim Burton or a Frank Capra. All you need is a home video camera, some passion and a tad of creativity. Most digital cameras can record short form videos, and the site is set up for easy uploading and includes a simple pass along feature.
You can also visit the site periodically to vote on your favorite videos and add commentary.
Good luck!
You might want to check out the “Why I Want Cisco TelePresence” viral video contest.
The contest is designed to entice individuals to submit their ideas about why or how they would like to use Cisco Telepresence, a teleconference tool that the computer software and network company promises will provide “an immersive in-person experience.” Winners in two categories, Productivity and Shaping the Future, have a chance to win $3,000 each.
Just make a video about how teleconferencing would be useful to you and upload it to the Cisco site. You don’t have to be a Tim Burton or a Frank Capra. All you need is a home video camera, some passion and a tad of creativity. Most digital cameras can record short form videos, and the site is set up for easy uploading and includes a simple pass along feature.
You can also visit the site periodically to vote on your favorite videos and add commentary.
Good luck!
AMC Features BMC: B-Movie Classics
How many times has this happened to you: You come home, and all you are able to find on TV is quality programs? You are disappointed because want you really wanted to watch is a B-movie from the 1950s. Have no fear: AMC has come to your rescue!
The American Movie Classics website now has a section called "BMC: B-Movie Classics." Here, you can watch several complete classic B-movies, including Invasion of the Neptune Men, Planet on the Prowl, Teenage Caveman, and The Crawling Eye. Those interested in B-movies may be familiar with some of these titles already; several of them were used in episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000.
American's Watched 16.8 Billion Online Videos in April
I find this remarkable: U.S. Internet users viewed 16.8 billion online videos during April 2009, an increase of 16% versus March, according to comScore, a company which measures the digital world. That’s 56 downloads for every man, woman, and child in the U.S. in April.
YouTube was the top U.S. video site with 6.7 million viewers.
YouTube was the top U.S. video site with 6.7 million viewers.
Google Continues to Be the Most Popular Search Engine and Video Site in U.S.
comScore, a marketing company that surveys the behavior of digital consumers for businesses looking to expand electronically, has just released the results of several surveys. Two show the dominance of Google on the Internet:
In January 2009, Americans conducted 13.5 billion core searches, a 7% increase over December 2008. Google Sites handled 8.5 billion searches, followed by Yahoo! Sites with 2.8 billion and Microsoft Sites with 1.1 billion. For Google, that amounted to 63% of the market, down slightly from 63.5% in December. The other search engines market shares were equally flat.
December 2008 saw U.S. online video viewing surge 13% in a record-setting month, as Americans viewed 14.3 billion videos as the year closed. Google Sites again ranked as the top U.S. video property with 5.9 billion videos viewed (41% online video market share), with YouTube.com accounting for more than 99% of all videos viewed at the property. Fox Interactive Media ranked second with 445 million videos (3.1%), followed by Yahoo! Sites with 330 million (2.3%) Viacom Digital with 291 million (2%), and Hulu with to 241 million (1.5%).
In January 2009, Americans conducted 13.5 billion core searches, a 7% increase over December 2008. Google Sites handled 8.5 billion searches, followed by Yahoo! Sites with 2.8 billion and Microsoft Sites with 1.1 billion. For Google, that amounted to 63% of the market, down slightly from 63.5% in December. The other search engines market shares were equally flat.
December 2008 saw U.S. online video viewing surge 13% in a record-setting month, as Americans viewed 14.3 billion videos as the year closed. Google Sites again ranked as the top U.S. video property with 5.9 billion videos viewed (41% online video market share), with YouTube.com accounting for more than 99% of all videos viewed at the property. Fox Interactive Media ranked second with 445 million videos (3.1%), followed by Yahoo! Sites with 330 million (2.3%) Viacom Digital with 291 million (2%), and Hulu with to 241 million (1.5%).
Couric Uses Facebook to Evaluate New Administration
CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric is asking viewers to evaluate the first 100 days of President Barack Obama’s government, reports Jennifer Van Grove, writing on Mashable. And she is using Facebook – the hugely popular website poised to become the number 1 social network in the world – to do it.
In a 48 second video clip posted to her page, Couric issues a video challenge to viewers: create a 20 second video on what Obama’s done wrong or right while in office, and post it to Couric’s Facebook page. The best videos will be included in a live broadcast from CBSNews.com on April 29 at 7 pm.
Courac is a big user of Web 2.0, active on YouTube, Digg, and Twitter (@katiecouric).
According to Van Grove, Couric is
Only those of you who have a Facebook page can post videos. If you are interested, you can watch the video and participate here.
In a 48 second video clip posted to her page, Couric issues a video challenge to viewers: create a 20 second video on what Obama’s done wrong or right while in office, and post it to Couric’s Facebook page. The best videos will be included in a live broadcast from CBSNews.com on April 29 at 7 pm.
Courac is a big user of Web 2.0, active on YouTube, Digg, and Twitter (@katiecouric).
According to Van Grove, Couric is
doing a fantastic job combining her star power with social media savvy to raise her profile on Facebook and grow the CBS audience through potentially viral channels. The power of massive comments, likes, and user-created Facebook videos, is that the CBS message gets dispersed to new audiences (friends of friends) with every act of sharing.”
Only those of you who have a Facebook page can post videos. If you are interested, you can watch the video and participate here.
Men and Women Use the Internet Differently
Men make up a minority of the overall Internet population – those who access the Internet at least once a month from any location. There are 95.9 million men online (48.2%) and 103.2 million women online (51.8%).
However, according to eMarketer, men go online more often; are more active on social networking sites; read and write more blogs; listen to more podcasts; stay on for longer; and are not as bothered by "websites cluttered with ads" as women are.
The U.S. male Internet population is evenly split between those under and over the age of 35, with the largest group falling between 35 and 44. "Marketers may be overlooking a valuable demographic if they target only 18-to-34-year-old males. Advertising messages steeped in college humor and sex do not resonate with the millions of male Internet users who are researching products and services — and jobs — while shopping and connecting with friends and family," writes eMarketer.
This report confirms earlier reports on how men and women use the Internet differently. In 2008, four reports compared the behaviors of men and women online:
However, according to eMarketer, men go online more often; are more active on social networking sites; read and write more blogs; listen to more podcasts; stay on for longer; and are not as bothered by "websites cluttered with ads" as women are.
The U.S. male Internet population is evenly split between those under and over the age of 35, with the largest group falling between 35 and 44. "Marketers may be overlooking a valuable demographic if they target only 18-to-34-year-old males. Advertising messages steeped in college humor and sex do not resonate with the millions of male Internet users who are researching products and services — and jobs — while shopping and connecting with friends and family," writes eMarketer.
This report confirms earlier reports on how men and women use the Internet differently. In 2008, four reports compared the behaviors of men and women online:
- Nielsen Online found that men prefer user-generated video sites (like YouTube) while women take more of a liking to video streams of TV shows (such as those offered from Hulu);
- social web search company Rapleaf put out a report saying that men are more likely to use social networks for business while women use them to build personal relationships;
- men are also more likely than women to share their writings, photos, videos, and other creations online, according to Northwestern University; and
- men think they're the kings of Internet security, even though they're equally affected by security threats as women.
Library of Congress Shares More Videos Online
One of my favorite things about the Internet is the wealth of cultural information online, to which I would never have access. The website of the Museum of Modern Art, for instance. Or the archives of the National Film Board of Canada.
More good news. The Library of Congress will begin sharing content from its video and audio collections on YouTube and Apple’s iTunes as part of a continuing effort to make its collection available to broad segments of the population.
Among the content expected to be shared include 100-year-old films from the Thomas Edison studio, book talks with contemporary authors, early industrial films from Westinghouse factories, first-person audio accounts of life in slavery, and inside looks into the Library's holdings, including the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence and the contents of Lincoln's pockets on the night of his assassination.
The new channels will launch within the next few weeks.
[via iLibrarian]
More good news. The Library of Congress will begin sharing content from its video and audio collections on YouTube and Apple’s iTunes as part of a continuing effort to make its collection available to broad segments of the population.
Among the content expected to be shared include 100-year-old films from the Thomas Edison studio, book talks with contemporary authors, early industrial films from Westinghouse factories, first-person audio accounts of life in slavery, and inside looks into the Library's holdings, including the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence and the contents of Lincoln's pockets on the night of his assassination.
The new channels will launch within the next few weeks.
[via iLibrarian]
Great Computer Videos in Plain English
I love the Common Craft In Plain English videos. In particular, I have used RSS in Plain English and Blogs in Plain English in the Web 2.0 classes I teach. They are excellent, brief, funny, and “in plain English,” suitable for beginners and those exploring new topics.
Here’s the latest from Common Craft, Computer Software in Plain English.
Two thumbs. up.
Here’s the latest from Common Craft, Computer Software in Plain English.
Two thumbs. up.
Baby Boomers Are Adopting New Technology Faster than Others
A new Consumer Electronics Usage Survey from Accenture indicates that Baby Boomers (those over 45 years old) are adopting consumer technology nearly 20 times faster than younger generations. Meanwhile, use and adoption by Gen Y (18-28 years old) seems to have leveled off.
According to the report, Boomers:
[via iLibrarian]
According to the report, Boomers:
- increased reading blogs and listening to podcasts by 67% year over the year; nearly 80 times faster than Gen Y (1%);
- posted a 59% increase in using social networking sites — more than 30 times faster than Gen Y (2%);
- increased watching/posting videos on the Internet by 35% — while Gen Y usage decreased slightly (-2%);
- accelerated playing video games on the go via mobile devices by 52% — 20 times faster than Gen Y (2%); and
- increased listening to music on an iPod or other portable music player by 49% — more than four times faster than Gen Y (12%).
[via iLibrarian]
Streaming Video Grows; YouTube Reports 6.3 Billion Videos Viewed
Two stories about the rise of streaming video on the Internet.
In the first, John Biggs writing for ChrunchGear, discusses the shift from optical video to streaming video in just the past few years, resulting in complete dominance of the latter. The Internet is full of streaming video. It is everywhere, on every page. Interesting.
To back that up, comScore’s online video numbers for the United States in January are out, and YouTube reported 100.9 million visitors, who viewed 6.3 billion videos, surpassing the 100 million viewers milestone in the United States for the first time. [via mashable]
In the first, John Biggs writing for ChrunchGear, discusses the shift from optical video to streaming video in just the past few years, resulting in complete dominance of the latter. The Internet is full of streaming video. It is everywhere, on every page. Interesting.
To back that up, comScore’s online video numbers for the United States in January are out, and YouTube reported 100.9 million visitors, who viewed 6.3 billion videos, surpassing the 100 million viewers milestone in the United States for the first time. [via mashable]
Video Lectures from Top Universities Online at Academic Earth
Interested in learning from some of the world’s top scholars? Academic Earth has hundreds of video lectures from professors at Berkeley, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale.
You can subscribe to courses through RSS or add the podcasts to your iTunes library. Users are able to grade both the lectures and the courses, viewable by other users.
Academic Earth is an organization founded with the goal of giving everyone on earth access to a world-class education, by using technology in innovative ways to increase the ease of learning. AE hopes to “bring the best content together in one place and create an environment that in which that content is remarkably easy to use.”
[via metafilter.com]
You can subscribe to courses through RSS or add the podcasts to your iTunes library. Users are able to grade both the lectures and the courses, viewable by other users.
Academic Earth is an organization founded with the goal of giving everyone on earth access to a world-class education, by using technology in innovative ways to increase the ease of learning. AE hopes to “bring the best content together in one place and create an environment that in which that content is remarkably easy to use.”
[via metafilter.com]
Online Video -- Both Short and Long Form -- Skyrockets in 2008
And one final set of statistics from the comScore 2008 Digital Year in Review (requires registration and .pdf download):
"Online video viewing continued its rapid ascent in 2008, with 6% more people in the U.S. viewing 34% more videos versus a year ago... By November 2008, online video viewing accounted for 12.5% of Americans’ total time spent on the Internet, up from 8.5% in November 2007.
YouTube, with 40% market share in November 2008, continues to be a significant driver in the U.S. video market… the site generated 5.1 billion U.S. video views during the month, representing a 74% increase versus year ago.
Another developing trend in online video is the move from primarily short-form, user-generated content to more longform, professionally-created content, including full-length movies and TV shows. Hulu, the joint video venture of Fox and NBC, stormed onto the scene in 2008, generating a 57% increase in videos viewed during the past six months and currently ranking as the #6 video site by both unique viewers and videos viewed. Hulu also had an average viewing time of nearly 12 minutes per video in November, substantially higher than any other top video site and a major contributing factor to the increase in online video duration from 2.8 minutes per video to 3.1 minutes per video."
YouTube as a Search Engine
According to a recent article by Miguel Helft in the New York Times, it appears that the way many users look for information on the Internet is changing.
Instead of using a traditional search engine such as Yahoo or Google that yield mainly text based results, many people are using YouTube as their primary search engine, not only for viral videos, but increasingly for reference.
At First, Funny Videos. Now, a Reference Tool.
Instead of using a traditional search engine such as Yahoo or Google that yield mainly text based results, many people are using YouTube as their primary search engine, not only for viral videos, but increasingly for reference.
At First, Funny Videos. Now, a Reference Tool.
Fun Friday: The Next Senator from the State of Minnesota
Kamis, 08 Januari 2009
Label:
Al Franken,
Fun,
Humor,
Mick Jagger,
Minnesota,
Politics,
Solid Gold,
Videos,
YouTube
Your Digital Crib Contest Winners
Last month, I blogged about a contest, sponsored by Cicso, to create a video of your home computer space -- your "digital crib." The company wanted to know whether your crib was "heaven" or "hell." Here are the winners:
Heaven
Grand Prize Winner ($10K):
Totally Integrated Digital Home!!! by Ryan Leetsma
5 Runners Up ($500 Gift Card):
The Power to Connect... The Power to Succeed by Eric Michael Hopper
Digital Living by Blake Krone
Wireless Media Paradise at Home and On the Road by Jason Olmstead
A Real Digital Crib by William Urbina
Sixty Seconds in Digital Heaven by Brett Slater
Hell
Grand Prize Winner ($10K):
My Multimedia Dilemma by Angpao Martin
5 Runners Up ($500 Gift Card):
My Digital HELL by Chris LaMartina
Cyber-Highway to Hell by Daniel DeLancey
Digital Cribs Hell by Alex Mooney
Cool Technologies by Joe Wood
David's Digital Hell for Design by David Eastwood
Congratulations to all the winners!
Heaven
Grand Prize Winner ($10K):
Totally Integrated Digital Home!!! by Ryan Leetsma
5 Runners Up ($500 Gift Card):
The Power to Connect... The Power to Succeed by Eric Michael Hopper
Digital Living by Blake Krone
Wireless Media Paradise at Home and On the Road by Jason Olmstead
A Real Digital Crib by William Urbina
Sixty Seconds in Digital Heaven by Brett Slater
Hell
Grand Prize Winner ($10K):
My Multimedia Dilemma by Angpao Martin
5 Runners Up ($500 Gift Card):
My Digital HELL by Chris LaMartina
Cyber-Highway to Hell by Daniel DeLancey
Digital Cribs Hell by Alex Mooney
Cool Technologies by Joe Wood
David's Digital Hell for Design by David Eastwood
Congratulations to all the winners!
