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Posts with tag user-generated-video

Filed under: Internet, Video

Graspr: Another user-generated how to video site

Graspr
While we often find ourselves thinking the last thing we really need is yet another website that lets users upload, share, and vote on videos, we might make an exception for Graspr. Like SuTree and 5min, Graspr is focused on how-to videos.

Sure, you can find out how to knit or shave with a straight razor on YouTube, but it's hard to find good instructional videos because there's just so much stuff to sift through on a general purpose site.

Graspr has a clean, easy to navigate interface. For example, the computers & internet section actually has useful subcategories like networking, hardware, internet, programming & design, security, software, and general. All too often, it seems like these instructional websites aren't geared toward geeks, so we appreciate it when we find a site that is.

And for a service that just launched this week, there are already a good number of instructional videos to browse through, thanks to a successful beta period. We also like how registered users can take notes on videos and read notes left by other members of the community.

There are still a few kinks to work out. When we tried to copy the embed code for a video using the "copy , we got a site not found error. But by copying the code manually, we managed to embed a video after the jump.

Read more →

Filed under: Internet, Video, Microsoft, Social Software

Soapbox is dead, long live MSN Video (with integrated Soapbox)

MSN Video SoapboxMicrosoft has taken its user generated video site and added it to MSN Video beta. The site formerly known as Soapbox no longer exists as a standalone service. Instead, user generated video and professionally produced video will all be part of the MSN video service.

We have to say, the move isn't particularly surprising. In fact, we noticed a striking resemblance between MSN Video beta and Soapbox back in April.

The new version of the site features a Soapbox-like video player and layout. That means you can browse for videos without pausing playback of the movie you're currently watching. If you want to view just user-generated content, there's a new tab labeled "Soapbox User Videos."

Here are a few other updates to MSN Video beta:
  • Videos you upload will be encoded for online viewing faster
  • Support or new video codecs and extensions
  • Updated RSS feed for displaying Soapbox videos in RSS readers with a native embedded player
  • Fullscreen option for Soapbox Embedded player
In many ways, we think the MSN Video/Soapbox site is easier to navigate than YouTube, and has higher quality videos. But the thing about user-generated video sites is that they aren't much good without content. And as long as YouTube has the largest user base, that's where you'll continue to find most of the videos you actually want to watch.

Filed under: Internet, Video, Web services, Social Software, web 2.0

Revver has paid video producers $1 million in 1 year

RevverToday marks the 1 year anniversary since video sharing site Revver emerged from beta status. And by some remarkable coincidence, the site has also paid out exactly $1 million to content creators and distributors in that year.

While we're certain they're fudging the numbers by just a whee bit (come on, they probably hit the $1 million mark weeks ago, or are going to in a few weeks), it's still a pretty nifty demonstration that user generated video can be profitable for web publishers and users alike. Revver splits advertising revenue 50/50 with video producers.

Users who embed Revver clips on other sites can get 20 percent of advertising revenue. You need to earn $20 before Revver will send you a check, but apparently 25,000 people have done that so far. And Revver is presenting Doogtoons creator Doug Bresler with an "honorary check" for the $1 millionth dollar.

[via NewTeeVee]

Featured Time Waster

Forumwarz - a potentially offensive time waster

I pwn UAfter spending the better part of an hour on Forumwarz I still can't decide if it's just sick or if it's kind of fun. It's a bit like a car wreck on the highway. I know I shouldn't be looking but I can't quite turn away.

It's sick, it's twisted, it's the internet on it's worst level and darn it, it's kind of fun. At least for a little while.

Forumwarz is a parody role-playing game that takes place on the internet - or at least the Forumwarz version of it. Your goal is to complete missions that are given to you through a mock up of GoogleTalk called Sentrillion.

Your first "friend" is ShallowEsophagus who begins giving you missions to pwn various forums by being a troll. Depending on the character type you are assigned at start up, you have tools like drooling on the keyboard or bashing your head on the keyboard that you can use to destroy forum threads and eventually, pwn a forum.

Future missions involve buying illegal software from the Russians, pwning more difficult forums and other internet oddness.

Completing missions gives you cash, called Flezz in game, and items that you can pawn or use in other missions. The game is NOT for those easily offended. It's crass, coarse and there are frequent f-bombs in the fake chat sessions.

This is also a game for a more mature audience as it requires you to shop at the Drugs R Fun store to get various concoctions to improve your playing, engage in certain cyber activities to get more Flezz and just generally use a more adult perspective.

If you can get past that, here are the more enjoyable and time-wasting aspects.

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