Youtube.com is a public website that became popular in the Philippines in late 2004. This site contains a plethora of video files whether good or bad, old or new. It also allows all its users to view, rate, or even comment on the videos, set up their own video library (or channels as the site calls it), or simply just upload videos for fun and excitement.
BY MAC BRYAN N. BAUTISTA
Bulatlat
Vol. VII, No. 15 May 20-26, 2007
Everyday, I look at the Internet to see what’s going on in cyberspace lately. Getting some info on the latest global news, checking my blog, chatting with friends, and doing almost anything that I want to do. But then, during these past two years, there’s been a certain site which allows you to watch anything you wish to watch – Youtube.com.
Yes, I was persuaded by my friends to go to that site when and if I feel like watching –which I did. I kind of enjoyed watching, and since then it became a part of my everyday living. I go to that site every now and then to watch my favorite shows, be it an “advance screening” or old series.
Now the question that suddenly drove me to write about this is what is it with Youtube.com and the lots of people who are using it, to the point that their day will not be complete without taking a view.
The site
Youtube.com is a public website that became popular in the Philippines in late 2004. This site contains a plethora of video files whether good or bad, old or new. It also allows all its users to view, rate, or even comment on the videos, set up their own video library (or channels as the site calls it), or simply just upload videos for fun and excitement. This site has been widely accepted by many Filipinos lately, and even political ads are being uploaded here since it’s free of charge.
This website has different functions, the most common of which is for the general viewing of uploaded videos, slides, and even MP3s – provided the file to be uploaded is in either AVI or WMA format (depends on the system, but these two are the most common formats). The second most common is that it serves as a “mini-Yahoo! Mail” or a “mini Gmail” since it stores messages and you can make or reply with your own. You can avail of this function when you sign up for a free membership.
Also in the site are four major areas: videos, which feature the popular or recently added files; categories, where the videos are segregated depending on the ratings and genre of the video; channels, where members set up their own public video libraries; and community – where you can interact with other members and guests coming in and out of the site.
What you need
In order for you to gain access to this site, you need of course, an Internet connection – preferably DSL since downloading megabytes of video will take time in a dial-up connection. Then a good web browser is highly recommended. I want to recommend Mozilla Firefox since it instantly blocks unwanted ads and some spyware. The latest version of this browser can be downloaded via www.download.com. The last is a java or flash player codex in order for the selected file to play. In the case that you do not have one, youtube.com can provide you with one via redirecting you to the proper downloading site.
What to do
Now that you have all the things needed, go to www.youtube.com. You can then have the option of signing up to become a member – free of charge, or you can simply type in the keyword of the video you want to view, or better yet the complete title of the video. Then, a series of video clips will be available for viewing. Click the video, and wait for the clip to buffer. Once the buffing is complete, you can then enjoy watching.
Perks for members
Like what I said earlier, there are several goodies you can enjoy when you become a member of youtube.com. First, is that you can now have your own archive of clips that you want to watch over and over again – may it be for personal use or public consumption. Second, you can have easier access to some videos which requires the “member-only” option (rarely used). Third is the mailing system which can be accessed like your Yahoo! Mail or Gmail, and the one thing that I myself enjoy the most is rating and commenting on the videos! Fun, isn’t it?
Now that I’ve explained what youtube.com can do, let’s see what some guys can say about the site:
“OK lang ang Youtube kasi nakakapag-upload ka ng videos at mapapanood ng kahit sino-sino, tulad ng mga music videos. Member ako ng Youtube.com, pero wala pa naman ako na-upload na mga videos (sa ngayon). J” (Youtube is OK because you can upload videos, like music videos, and these can be watched by anyone. I’m a member of Youtube.com, but as of now I haven’t uploaded any videos.) – Michael Gino Sarenas, 17
“Pag may pasok, s‘yempre walang TV sa dorm, kaya ‘yun (Youtube.com) yung pinupuntahan ko ang pinanonood ko yung mga videos na gustong i-share ng marami – mga funny videos, music videos, ‘tsaka isa s’yang magandang pampalipas-oras.” (During school days, we’re in the dorm where there’s no TV, so I go to Youtube.com…what I watch are the funny videos, music videos, and You.tube is a good pastime.) – Paulo Ureña, 17
“Youtube is a great site to watch anime – may it be series or movies, etc. … and some interviews as well. Sometimes, you might even learn some unexpected things from the site as well.” – Kenneth Poliquit, 17
“OK naman kasi kahit na wala kang VCD or DVD sa bahay, e nagagawa mo pa ring mapanood yung mga gusto mo. Minsan pa nga mas advance pa yung mga pinapanood mo kesa sa mga TV.” (It’s OK because even if you have no VCD or DVD player at home, you can watch the videos you want to watch. Sometimes you can even see these ahead of their TV screenings.) – Timothy Maullon, 22
With the popularity of this website continuously rising, it’s no wonder why many people around the world, not just Filipinos continue to support youtube.com. It’s fun, convenient, and safe from viruses – youtube.com, a perfect video site for all to enjoy.(Bulatlat.com)
