Task #2 Stream Those Vegetables

Library Lady Says: Streamed vegetables are a nutritious and quick choice for any dinner table. 

More theme hoopla?

*sigh*

Heard of YouTube? 

Of course I've heard of YouTube. But I certainly haven't heard of streaming, and I have no idea what any of this has to do with vegetables… Will this be as weird as that hamburger blog?

Good question! Yes and no. Streaming can definitely be weird, but it can also be educational, creative, profitable, and crime fighting! 

Wha?

Yup. And here’s how:

Streaming media is a sequence of moving images and/or sounds (like movies or television shows or songs) that are sent over the Internet in a special format, displayed as they arrive. 

Like a downloaded movie or song, ya' mean?

No, downloading is different. You have to download something in its entirety before you can use it. When you’re streaming a movie or song you can begin to watch or hear it before you’ve received it all. In other words, while you are watching or listening the rest is arriving. 

*scratches head*

Think of this in terms of milk. Downloading is like pouring yourself a glass of milk, and then drinking it. Streaming is like drinking straight from the carton. 

Ew…

When you stream media, the movie or song is sent in one long continuous stream (hence the name "streaming") and is played as it arrives.

In order to view the streaming media, you need a player--a special program on your computer that can interpret your movie or song file. The player sends your video to display, and your audio to the speakers to be heard. A media player will either come with your computer, or it can be downloaded from the Internet.

To demonstrate streaming a piece of music/ video, you can listen to this. If it doesn't start right up, just press the play button.


Oo! Oo! I know that one! All the pretty Lights!!!!!"

*awkward pause* Yeah, that one. 

*ahem*

If you're finished, we'll move on? 

*blush* I'm finished...

p.s. You will need sound and/or headphones on your computer to hear the streaming music. 

Hey! Wow! I can hear the song!

†YouTube is another free, online, video streaming service that allows users to view and share videos that have been uploaded by its members. And there's some amazing stuff here: music videos, retro television commercials, funny animal videos, and clips from your favourite TV shows. As an example, how about a live performance of this Dean Martin Classic?

*swoon*

Oh my, that certainly brings back memories…

Or how about a classic scene from I Love Lucy


Bhahahaha! Oh that Lucy, she just cracks me up!

Of course, like anything on the Internet you’ll also find your fair share of senseless things. You’ll be shaking your head and marveling at what people have time to do! 'The Engineers Guide to Cats,'


*shifty eyes*

Totally bizarre, right?

But as mentioned, streaming isn't all sweet memories and time wasters. Streaming can be educational, too. Common Craft is an independent company responsible for dozens of really phenomenal educational videos, most of which are available on YouTube.

And the latest trend to hit the library world comes in the form of book trailers--think of these like a movie trailer... for books! To view a book trailer for Alan Bradley's Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, click HERE. To view view a book trailer for this year's One Book One Burlington, The Nine Lives of Charlotte Taylor, click HERE. 

Fascinating! There's some educational potential in streaming, to be sure. But Lucille Ball and a couple of weirdos with too many cats are hardly Homeland Security. I thought you said streamed media could be crime fighting?

True! I did! And an ARTICLE in the Washington Post will prove it. Check out  how the Arlington County Police Department is using YouTube to catch criminals:

"The department has turned to the online phenomenon YouTube in its quest to get the bad guys. Surveillance video from crime scenes is being posted on the popular video-sharing Web site in hope of generating leads and identifying suspects. A two-minute video of a bespectacled robber talking to a teller at a bank branch got nearly 800 hits and probably resulted in a lead in the case, police said."

And Canada isn't far behind. For a sample of some of the ways in which our own local law enforcement is using Web 2.0 to track down lawbreakers and prevent crime, click HERE, or click HERE, or click HERE. Just another reminder... Web 2.0 is everywhere.

And now it's your turn to explore and play! 

Your Task: 

Take some time to explore YouTube & have a little fun. Check out how your very own library system is using YouTube by searching for the words "Burlington Public Library". Can you find the video we created for our 2007 Staff Development Day? 

To complete this assignment: 

1. Explore YouTube using the search box on their homepage. Look for videos that interest you: music, movies, funny television commercials, whatever! Find one you'd like to post to your blog. 

2. Copy the video's URL by (1) clicking the share button and (2) copying the text in the Video URL box (pictured below) :

Note: if you're unfamiliar with how to "copy and paste" click HERE--you will be directed away from the Betty Blogger web page, but you can always come back...) 

3. Paste the video's URL into your blog post. 

4. In the same post, answer the following questions:

• Did you enjoy your YouTube experience?
• Why do you think streaming has become so popular?
• Will you continue to use YouTube? 

5. Click Publish Post. 

For the teacher's pet: Using the method I've just described, your video will not "appear" in your blog, like the  I Love Lucy video appears in mine. Only the video's URL will appear in your blog. To see the video in your blog, visit Betty's Tips in the sidebar and click How to... embed a video! You'll find step-by-step instructions on how to embed a video into your blog. But don't worry... this embedding business is not part of your regular homework assignment. It's just something for the keeners in the room who are interested in learning a bit more...

*wink*

† Information taken from YouTube. 

Further Reading:

 "Movement on My Monitor: Video on the Web." By: McDermott, Irene E.. Searcher, Sep2006, Vol. 14 Issue 8, p16-20, 5p, 3bw; (AN 22299830). 

Note: BPL Cardholders: Visit our database page. Choose MasterFile Premier from the alphabetical list and enter your BPL library card number to search for the title above.

7 Things you should know about YouTube (Educause)


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