The YouTube Module

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The YouTube Module And How To Use It

YouTube; the giant of online videos.

YouTube has seen many videos in it's time online and here is the lens that will show you how to put those videos on your lens.

You can utilise the power of YouTube by using videos relevant to your topic, using videos not relevant to your topic and using your own videos to market products, provide an insight of yourself or purely just to have fun! (See Cinetech's How To Make Videos For The Web.)

The idea of this lens must be credited to KimberlyDawnWells as it was her that suggested it's creation in a SquidU forum thread.

I hope that, in time, this lens can not only be successful but can also provide a reference point for both amateurs and experts alike. I will update this lens every time I get some inspiration or if I get some advice which I deem suitable to be added (credit will be given where credit is due).

I have not made this lens to provide a mere tutorial, although, that was the original basis of the lens. This is now a mission to maximise the possible usage of the YouTube module.

The Most Watched YouTube Video Of All Time!

Because people went gaga over GaGa!

Lady Gaga - Bad Romance
by LadyGagaVEVO | video info

692,051 ratings | 447,318,742 views
curated content from YouTube

How Can I Add The YouTube Module?


  1. Go to the lens workshop of the lens you want to add the video to.

  2. Select "browse all modules" in your "add modules" section of your workshop sidebar.

  3. Select "most popular" and click "YouTube vids".

YouTube Module: Thumbnails

Because It's Not All About (Glow-In-The-Dark) Fingernails...

Thumbnail videos can be used in a number of different ways. They can be used to showcase a few videos (up to 10) next to each other, to show two contrasting examples next to each other (good example - bad example) or maybe just so your viewers can switch between humerous videos on the same topic.

To add thumbnail videos:


  1. Add a YouTube module as normal.

  2. Click the "Edit" tab on the top right-hand of the module.

  3. You will now see 3 options; "Let YouTube pick", "Let me pick" and "Pick by YouTube username". Select one of the options.

  4. If you selected "let me pick", you can put the end of your video URLs in the box now, up to 10. For the other options, enter your search words or desired username.

  5. Any more than 1 video will automatically thumbnail them. The URL at the top of your list will be the video that shows in full size first to your viewers

  6. ...And you're done!



See below for my example.

A little note; before I get sued, I do not endorse any of the behaviour in the below videos including but not limited to:


  • Setting the sprinklers off. (Paramore)

  • Trashing a superstore. (Rise Against)

  • Jumping off bridges, under trucks, running through traffic etc. (Bon Jovi)

  • Counting poorly in a foreign language. (U2)

  • Driving while your girlfriend (or boyfriend) covers your eyes. (Stereophonics)

  • Playing guitar at all! Flying whammy bars can be seriously dangerous to your health, Herman! (DragonForce)

  • Going naturally about your business...Oh we do endorse that one! (R.E.M.)

My Music YouTube Video Section Thingy...

Paramore: Pressure [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
by FueledByRamen | video info

52,901 ratings | 17,247,485 views
curated content from YouTube

Common Problems: Embedding

Sometimes a YouTube video will play on YouTube but it won't play on your lens. So what's gone wrong?

This is most likely due to an embedding problem.

On the right hand side of the YouTube page, underneath the submitters details, there is a box with "Embed" written above it. If in this box it states, "Embedding disabled by request", you won't be able to use this video.

Whilst there is no legal way of putting this video on your lens if embedding is disabled, it is always worth an email to the owner of the video. A fine example of this is Clouda9's lens Getting Motivated For Life.

The video on this lens had embedding disabled by request but with just one email the owner of the video permitted Clouda9 to use the video and she now has content on her lens which is incredibly rare.

Common Problems: The Video I Want Isn't On YouTube?

If it is on another video hosting site the only thing you can do is email the owner and request that they put it on YouTube.

If they refuse, you can now use the Video Module, which supports many other sites.

Warning: Video Deleted

Yes, It's That Bad!

Credit must go where credit is due for this section; I would never have thought of this.

The_Bard informed me of a little problem which many lensmasters overlook...

You MUST check your lenses regularly because sometimes videos are deleted from YouTube.

There are many reasons for this; the most common ones are that the owner didn't want the video on YouTube anymore or that it breached YouTube's terms and conditions. Whatever the reason, if a video is deleted it won't show up on your lens. It will, however, make your lens look under-maintained and messy.

Note: Similarly, if the owner of the video disables the embedding on the video, it won't play anymore though it may still show on your lens.

The Metacafe Duel

Note: There is now a "video module" which includes videos from sites other than YouTube. However, this duel is being left up so that people can see how strongly people felt about having more options prior to the introduction of the video module.

Metacafe has tried to imitate the success of YouTube to (so far) no avail. Even cash incentives for video views don't appear to be making them as successful. The big question is...

Should Squidoo support Metacafe videos?

Loading Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

Yes

manlalakbay says:

I see nothing wrong to have Metacafe module here in squidoo. Also I recommend Dailymotion site to be considered too. It's also nice and neat. I recently noticed that youtube became strict and decided to remove some videos in an instant. I don't know why they did, do or will do that. Some of Sarah Geronimo videos which already reached more than a million (views) got deleted. Hope youtube team should be careful in deciding whether to delete or let a video to stay. People here in the Philippines whom I know, became disappointed to them. Anyway, ftw Squidoo! :)

davechi says:

of course

annedavies says:

The more the merrier I say.Why limit to one or two when you can have more.

WNJ631 says:

isn't variety the spice of life?

falldown2007 says:

I say yes!

tariqmir says:

Yes!

michelle-c-r says:

why not :-)

michelle-c-r says:

Why not :-)

cwimmer77 says:

i love what the youtube vidoes bring to my lenses and how easy it is to add them.

annrhi says:

See no reason why not, but You Tube is a more comprehensive site, especially for music, however, vive la difference and all that (and I know I spelt it wrong!)

Bowenwcoen says:

yes

biznardi says:

Yes, I see nothing wrong with it.

tombrennan says:

An open door policy is a good thing. The more the merrier.

EcoSmiths says:

why not...the more options the better!

noelgui says:

i say Yes with a big Y.

No

JohnCurio says:

No.
I'd much rather see Squidoo allowing me first to embed Vimeo and DailyMotion videos first instead. Wonderful variety of videos, and some really precious, original ones too. Once these are in... I'd like to see Metacafe support on Squidoo.

 
view all 40 comments

Ideas: Add Some Humour To Your Lens

If you're doing a lens about jokes, add your favourite comedian (mine is Dylan Moran). If it's about music, add relevant artists. The reasons to add a YouTube module are endless, as are the possibilities!

Note: Don't watch this if you're easily offended!
Dylan Moran on Arnold Scwarzenegger (Like Totally)
by asosialeida | video info

2,955 ratings | 822,586 views
curated content from YouTube

Ideas: Combine YouTube and RSS!

YouTube videos are great. We know that. But it's a pretty stable thing, isn't it? I mean, the videos never change do they?

How about YouTube updates to your lens? Would you like that? Here's how:

If you combine both YouTube and RSS you can get all the updates from your favourite YouTuber or many other YouTube provided RSS feeds.

To get a YouTube RSS feed:

  1. Add an RSS module as normal.

  2. Go to this link and choose your feed by following the instructions.

  3. Copy the URL (Highlight it and press "Ctrl" + "C") and paste it in the box on your RSS module ("Ctrl" + "V").

  4. Select your options and save. You should now have a fully functioning RSS feed direct from YouTube



Just like mine below; direct from the YouTube blog!

YouTube Blog RSS

Loading Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

Ideas: Lensographies

I've recently noticed that many lensmasters have started making lensographies. To be totally honest, I think they are a great idea!

I've also noticed that they are usually quite personal and give a deep insight into the lensmaster and their life.

So... here's my idea;

1. Set up an account on YouTube.
2. Submit a video of yourself.
3. Get it on your lensography!

It could be a message to your viewers, a video biography or maybe just a video of you larking about!

One thing is for sure though, it makes your lensography so much more...YOU!

Ideas: SquidVids

Why Use One When You Can Use Many?

OK. So by now we've established that there are many different uses and functions of a YouTube video and that by using the module in different ways we can create different affects. Much like lighting in photography.

Allow me to introduce you to your own YouTube TV channel: SquidVids

SquidVids allows you to build a lens on a topic just like you would build a regular lens. The major difference is the layout of these lenses as they are specially designed to be a video showcase.

For a great SquidVids example and a showcase of the best How-To-Squidoo videos on YouTube take a look at MrLewisSmile's How-To Squidoo Videos Showcase!

Note: SquidVids isn't around anymore but you can still make your own video style lens!

Ideas: Video Diaries

Why not make a lens/video diary?

It would be unique and could bring a whole new perspective to blogging and lens making!

Maybe instead of writing about your travels you could take videos of you whilst you are away?

Or you could write a lot then use video footage to show off those special moments...

The possibilities are endless!

My YouTube Based Guestbook

If you're a YouTube lover, user or n00b (yes, that IS a technical term/word I will use!) I think you should leave some comments and suggestions somewhere round here...

submit

by

Pixieish

Pixieish is a caffeine addicted, hyperactive and intensely competitive budding journalist with passions for rock music, gaming, technology, artistic flair,... more »

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