The YouTube Module
Ranked #1,105 in Squidoo Community, #112,987 overall
The YouTube Module And How To Use It
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.
Lens Contents
- The Most Watched YouTube Video Of All Time!
- How Can I Add The YouTube Module?
- YouTube Module: Thumbnails
- My Music YouTube Video Section Thingy...
- Common Problems: Embedding
- Common Problems: The Video I Want Isn't On YouTube?
- Warning: Video Deleted
- The Metacafe Duel
- Ideas: Add Some Humour To Your Lens
- Ideas: Combine YouTube and RSS!
- YouTube Blog RSS
- Ideas: Lensographies
- Ideas: SquidVids
- Ideas: Video Diaries
- My YouTube Based Guestbook
The Most Watched YouTube Video Of All Time!
Because people went gaga over GaGa!
How Can I Add The YouTube Module?
- Go to the lens workshop of the lens you want to add the video to.
- Select "browse all modules" in your "add modules" section of your workshop sidebar.
- Select "most popular" and click "YouTube vids".
YouTube Module: Thumbnails
Because It's Not All About (Glow-In-The-Dark) Fingernails...
To add thumbnail videos:
- Add a YouTube module as normal.
- Click the "Edit" tab on the top right-hand of the module.
- You will now see 3 options; "Let YouTube pick", "Let me pick" and "Pick by YouTube username". Select one of the options.
- 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.
- 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
- ...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.)
Common Problems: Embedding
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 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?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes
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! :)
Posted June 30, 2011
annedavies says:
The more the merrier I say.Why limit to one or two when you can have more.
Posted March 26, 2011
cwimmer77 says:
i love what the youtube vidoes bring to my lenses and how easy it is to add them.
Posted December 08, 2010
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!)
Posted August 31, 2010
tombrennan says:
An open door policy is a good thing. The more the merrier.
Posted February 25, 2010
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.
Posted December 08, 2009
Ideas: Add Some Humour To Your Lens
Note: Don't watch this if you're easily offended!
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:
- Add an RSS module as normal.
- Go to this link and choose your feed by following the instructions.
- Copy the URL (Highlight it and press "Ctrl" + "C") and paste it in the box on your RSS module ("Ctrl" + "V").
- 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
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byIdeas: Lensographies
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...
-
Reply
-
buttercup007
Jun 28, 2011 @ 7:15 pm | delete
- Very helpful lens! Thanks! I've bookmarked it :)
-
-
Reply
-
Changeyourlifenow
Mar 17, 2011 @ 6:42 pm | delete
- Thanks, this was just the information I was looking for. I will be putting it to good use soon.
Thanks Again!
-
-
Reply
-
MarkUpshaw Dec 9, 2010 @ 1:03 am | delete
- Thank you for touching on this. It was worth more than I thought when I opened this page. Good job.
-
-
Reply
-
artgoodman
Nov 28, 2010 @ 11:33 am | delete
- Great info, thanks for sharing this lens, it helped me out.
-
-
Reply
-
Nov 8, 2010 @ 11:38 am | delete
- Fantastic tips here. Thanks Pixieish!
-
-
Reply
-
Betsi_Goutal
Oct 2, 2010 @ 11:45 am | delete
- Thank you so much for this lens, I've been wondering how the heck to get more than one video in a module - somehow I hadn't realized there is a separate YouTube module! I've been using the Video Module this whole time. You learn something new every day on Squidoo. :)
-
-
Reply
-
annrhi
Aug 31, 2010 @ 8:14 am | delete
- Thanks for this, it's given me a few good ideas for new lenses and how I can set up one I've got in mind but didn't know how to make it work, cheers!
-
-
Reply
-
FranTollett Jun 28, 2010 @ 8:20 pm | delete
- Love your lens! I will put my knowledge to use right away. Thanks again.
-
-
Reply
-
aesta1
Jun 9, 2010 @ 2:18 am | delete
- Have finally tried to put some videos from you tube in my lenses but to be honest I am still not comfortalbe just uploading someone's work. But I suppose, it helps promote it. Thanks for these tips.
-
-
Reply
-
hayleylou
Mar 1, 2010 @ 5:34 am | delete
- Great lens. I have had my own you tube videos on my lens for ages - these videos are not available to be used by others. The ones that are disabled have suddenly stopped working ? I have tried to free the restriction on one and put it back on the lens but it still won't work. I don't want to let others be free to use my videos - what can I do ? Any advice would be great - all my lens are a mess !
-
-
Reply
-
LaraineRose Feb 11, 2010 @ 10:18 pm | delete
- I just knew there must be a html code for centering videos. Now, if we could just get the videos to work when they are put in our lenses. Latest bug. In the workshop and my lens they work but will not work on my friends computer. Grrr Unreliable beasties!! I have written out a bug report and gone to Squidu about it .. so far no solution.
-
-
Reply
-
GetYourManBack
Aug 4, 2009 @ 12:33 pm | delete
- Really useful information! Thanks :) for your help.
-
-
Reply
-
Maraiya
Jul 4, 2009 @ 10:58 pm | delete
- Great lens, clear and thorough! This was exactly the type of information I was looking for. I kept wondering, how in the world are people getting these videos onto their lenses? I'm not at the point where I want to put a video into a lens, but I sure am glad I have this info for future reference.
-
-
Reply
-
sittonbull
May 20, 2009 @ 12:45 pm | delete
- Cool Rawstar. I'm updating my learning lens and so will LR this excellent one of yours to mine and make a live URL link to this lens to headline my blurb on the Video Module.
-
-
Reply
-
tonya_adama
Mar 26, 2009 @ 12:33 am | delete
- Fabulous, just what the newbie doctor ordered!
-
- Load More
by Pixieish
Pixieish is a caffeine addicted, hyperactive and intensely competitive budding journalist with passions for rock music, gaming, technology, artistic flair,... more »
- 9 featured lenses
- Winner of 9 trophies!
- Top lens » Top 50 Rock Vocalists Of All Time