by Jim Bostick
Member since:
August 31, 2005

Video on Gather - What do you think?

February 21, 2007 10:16 AM EST
views: 169 | comments: 46

As Gather continues to grow and evolve our team is always exploring new ideas and features for the site. Many of these ideas come from members like you. As always we seek your feedback to help us deliver the best possible Gather experience. We are looking for your ideas and feedback today on the subject of video.

 

We are currently considering bringing video to Gather. Video on the internet has been a huge phenomenon over the past several months. Gather members enjoy sharing their talents currently by publishing articles and images and we want to give you more options to express yourself.

 

We expect video on Gather to allow members to post video files using many popular formats and videos will likely be permitted up to about 30 minutes in length. Just like articles and images you will be permitted to select who can view your video, share video with groups, comment on video posted on Gather, share your Gather videos with friends, and even post Gather video on your other blogs and personal web sites.

 

Take a moment to comment below so we can learn from your feedback.

  • Are you likely to publish video on Gather?
  • Do you enjoy watching video online?
  • What video content do you enjoy most?
  • Are there any specific features you would like Gather to consider for Video?

 

What are your thoughts? We're listening!

 

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Comments: 46

flit . Feb 21, 2007, 10:23am EST
I rarely watch it, and am highly unlikely to post any.

I also rather like the fact that gather focuses on writing - adding video seems likely to change that focus and perhaps attract even more people who have no interest at all in writing...

which isn't to say that Gather can't go that route - I just rather wish you wouldn't.
Lynn G. Feb 21, 2007, 11:25am EST
I think YouTube exists for video; cut a deal with them to provide Gather content maybe.

I'd much rather you focus on getting things on-site working first. When I remove a group, it doesn't come off the "settings" page. I get multiple notices of articles being published, sometimes weeks after the fact. (I've been forwarding some of that to Carolyn.) Comments and points appear and disappear periodically.

It would be useful and helpful to have groups and contacts appear in alphabetical order, and to be able to have the number of pages actually show up instead of
1+. It would be useful and helpful to be able to get into those lists by alphabet or page number rather than having to page through one page at a time.

When cleaning up connections and articles, the "remove" function takes me back to page 1 rather than returning me to the page I was on, which means I have to page through all of them again.

On the sign-in page, the cursor should default to the sign-in name block.

If we can just get the existing site working well, that would be a great improvement. Thanks for checking in....
Donald H. Feb 21, 2007, 11:28am EST
Are you likely to publish video on Gather? No...!

Do you enjoy watching video online? Not really...!

What video content do you enjoy most? Not much...!

Are there any specific features you would like Gather to consider for Video? Not to have it???
Ron (in complete sheeple overload) W. Feb 21, 2007, 11:31am EST
I'm concerned that gather seems to be having more than it's share of issues already, and adding the bandwidth necessary for video would seem to me to be a killer for an already unhealthy site. Utube and others already do video, anyway.
Bridget Riley Feb 21, 2007, 1:52pm EST
I think Gather Video would be great! Everyone here has such diverse interests, it would be cool to actually SEE them in addition to reading about them. I think it would be a really great compliment to the writing here.
Jim Vaughey Feb 21, 2007, 2:02pm EST
I have a face for podcasts ;)

Are you likely to publish video on Gather? probably not

Do you enjoy watching video online? yes

What video content do you enjoy most? tv shows, mash ups, dance dance revolution contests, things pirate related.

Are there any specific features you would like Gather to consider for Video? I will elt you decide
Sonia M. Feb 21, 2007, 2:19pm EST
My views and opinions follow the majority of comments expressed above.

Are you likely to publish video on Gather? Probably not
Do you enjoy watching video online? Not really
What video content do you enjoy most? About cooking, IF any
Are there any specific features you would like Gather to consider for Video? I really don't

I would rather Gather take care of the problems we are having first. As Lynn G mentions/lists them above, there are still too many details and problems to iron out before you consider going yet into another tangent............

Most of us experience a lot of problems publishing - and I too send complaints to Carolyn once in a while...I hate to send negative mail to her, and many times I just bare them, but sometimes my patience wears thin and I just have to send mail to complain.

Please get Gather up to speed first on what is available now before you consider adding anything else.
jessie voigts Feb 21, 2007, 2:27pm EST
i think video would be superfluous, honestly. i come here for the writing. as well, it would be really horrible and exclusionary for people still on dial-up. not worth the time or money, i'd think.
Nanci B Feb 21, 2007, 2:31pm EST
I am not particularly interested in Video and rarely watch any on my computer.

I would much prefer that Gather fix all of the other issues that members have been complaining about for months before you add another feature with the potential to slow the site down any further.

Gather has great potential but the concerns of the users are being ignored. That needs to change and the problems need fixing. Then you can worry about Video or other bells and whistles.

Since you haven't gotten the basics right, it doesn't bode well for adding Video.
Christopher G. Feb 21, 2007, 3:17pm EST
I believe in using what you've got before going after something that might not fit - and would (much?) more clearly fit once current problems were resolved. In both cases, sticking with what you know to build a foundation will make that foundation strong - much stronger than it would be if it were made out of every little (and, or big) thing that comes along next. I agree with the comments made by flit F., Lynn G., Donald H., Ron, and jessie voights; I do not feel that Gather would never ever with any chance be a place for video, but do feel that adding this function would be inappropriate at this time. I would much rather be a part of something solid for a long time than many weaker things for the same amount of time. GFather and other sites are very strong seperately and I don't feel the need to combine them if it was not the orginal intent as inspired. Something with 'bugs' made into something more will multiply the bugs-ing between everyone.
greg smith Feb 21, 2007, 3:22pm EST
I agree wholeheartedly with Lynn G. Let YouTube do what they do best, we do what we do best, then form an alliance/partnership.
Travis B. Feb 21, 2007, 3:26pm EST
Let's for a moment assume that all of the other technical problems gather experiences didn't exist and latency was not an issue. Now move on to the current content that is allowed here and add video to that mix. What we will have is even more unoriginal content that simply get copied, not from email, but from places like youtube or crazyshit.com, which is a rather extreme example, but I think it helps make my point. Before something like video is really implemented, or at least made accessible to the average user, the editorial team should really think about current content. Some standard has to be set and either enforced by the community or by the Gather staff.
Melissa R. Feb 21, 2007, 3:48pm EST
I am fairly new to Gather and I think that adding video would appeal to younger users but then the content of the website would drop, IMO. But I will answer your questions anyways -
Are you likely to publish video on Gather? - Um no
Do you enjoy watching video online? - Yes
What video content do you enjoy most? - Comedy stuff, TV clips, celebrity clips
Are there any specific features you would like Gather to consider for Video? mmmm not really.
Kris M. Feb 21, 2007, 5:13pm EST
If Gather gets video, I'll most likely quit. There are dozens of sites out there showing Britney Spears falling out of her car and cats dancing and flushing toilets. It wouldn't attract anyone who couldn't get the same content elsewhere, and frankly, this site does NOT need anything else to weigh it down and make it slower. Can't there be one last place on the internet where we DON'T have to deal with video?
Army Man . Feb 21, 2007, 6:16pm EST
I say bring it on if you want to compete and draw in more users (especially the younger crowd). Everyone is offering video email and vlogs now.

I would not place that at the top of your enhancement list though. It would be really good if you offered a place that we could suggest enhancements and vote/comment on them as a community.

I also worry about your bandwidth and site speed. At the moment, your site speed is horrific. Lets get that fixed above all else.
Laura Cushing Feb 21, 2007, 6:17pm EST
* Are you likely to publish video on Gather? - Maybe! Depends on how it works. I'd like the capability to say, add a music video or a concert video to my columns.

* Do you enjoy watching video online? Yes, sometimes.

* What video content do you enjoy most? Funny videos, music and concert videos.

* Are there any specific features you would like Gather to consider for Video? Hm.. just something that makes it easy to work with.

I'd also like to see there be an audio capability- that'd be cool.
I'd much PREFER the long dangled THREADED comment system.
Kev B. Feb 21, 2007, 6:55pm EST
I don't see the need for video. Article authors can always imbed a video from Youtube or Google video if they feel the need.
I can see the point of making Gather the one place to post everything, writing, audio, video, pictures, etc. But really: Why reinvent the wheel?

I'd rather see an off-line publishing client made available.
☃ Aunt Shanny Feb 21, 2007, 10:18pm EST
I am not very interested. I rarely visit video sites- people try too hard to be funny, and they just end up looking stupid.
Kathryn E. Feb 22, 2007, 12:13am EST
I think it is inevitable, but I am a very print oriented person. For me, video is not that important online. I do have a digital video camera, but rarely use it. I am still on dialup, which is difficult for anything but print.....

I do think Gather needs to make some decisions. Will Gather be the place for everything, or the place for social networking AND literary content? I guess, the answer is the latter. In that case, I guess video will happen...I don't see myself using it that much, even after we upgrade our connection speed.

I'm interested in literary content on Gather, pretty much that is it.
Audrey F. Feb 22, 2007, 2:25am EST
I'm not for adding video to gather. It's easy enough for people to put a link in their articles that takes us to sites who specialize in video.
I also agree with what has been said about Gather taking care of resolving all the sites internal problems before considering branching out to something new.
One other point that no one else made---There are lots of incredible artists and photographers who post their work on Gather and do not get the attention and credit they deserve. Promote the area of visual arts that is already a part of Gather instead of adding a new one.
John S. (arizona) Feb 22, 2007, 11:29am EST
I know it is highly unlikely that I would publish video, except for a couple I have saved on my PC that are humorous in nature. The only time I go to a video site, is when someone in here publishes a link to it in one of their articles, or in an email, otherwise I never have the time anyway. I don't mind watching the occasional funny clip though, and anything you guys want to do I'm open for. It's your site after all.
Thanks.
As those before me have already said, please fix the current problems before even considering adding "enhancements". I often am logged out of Gather when I attempt to comment. I can't stand the constant slow downs. Fix the problem with flagging and drive-by low ratings. These problems may not matter to the Gather powers-that-be but they matter to me.
Are you likely to publish video on Gather?

No

Do you enjoy watching video online?

No

What video content do you enjoy most?

N/A

Are there any specific features you would like Gather to consider for Video?

N/A
Hey, btw, is "monetize" a real word? Could ya show me a video?
Linda M. Feb 23, 2007, 3:38pm EST
I'm on dial-up so video would slow things down even more for me. I occasionally watch a video at YouTube... but it takes forever to load.
George Corneliussen Feb 28, 2007, 8:03am EST
I am currently developing video for Youtube. That video will be music based. When I get it up, I post articles on Gather with a link to Youtube to see how it goes. As far as video on Gather goes. I would post commentary based videos. The kind of things I like to write often rely on inflection to get the point across the way it is intended and video would be a great way to accomplish that.
Just last night, I watched a Frontline show on the disappearing news coverage in all media. Given the demographics of Gather's members, video on Gather might serve as a source for serious journalism, and might attract journalists looking for a place to be serious about what they do.
elizabeth e. Mar 4, 2007, 11:18am EST
No, no, no, no. Save Gather for the writers!
I'd prefer not to add video. There is already enough bandwidth being taken up with trivial graphics and there are plenty of video sites.

If videos are hosted directly on Gather, I'll probably avoid them. Embedded links to YouTube, on the other hand, I'd be okay with.
WM H. Mar 5, 2007, 5:25pm EST
"I'd much rather you focus on getting things on-site working first."

Amen, amen, a thousand times amen.
Selene N. Mar 27, 2007, 11:37am EDT
It's good that I came across this article (featured on the home page today). I have been wondering about this.

* Are you likely to publish video on Gather?
Yes, and specifically, short clips of my baby. Right now I am posting baby pictures, but I would love to post some baby videos that show things a still camera cannot catch.

* Do you enjoy watching video online?
No. I don't usually watch video online at all. I watch maybe 2 or 3 a year when someone specifically sends me a link and tells me to check this out.

* What video content do you enjoy most?
If I do watch videos, I like clever clips, like a really good commerical, or that guy's Xmas light (I don't know if you know what I am talking about... it was on the news last year), etc.

* Are there any specific features you would like Gather to consider for Video?
Even though I would like to post some videos, I am not sure Gather should allow this. Gather is slow (at least sometimes) as is. If you put up videos, I imagine the speed will be even slower. Besides, how big a video file will you allow?

I really don't think it's necessary to allow videos. If people wants to put up a video, they can always just put up a link, and host their videos somewhere else.... I think.
Mariana T. Mar 27, 2007, 1:59pm EDT
I'd love it as I want to break into video anyway and there's some competition out there - I say Bring it on!!! Salud.
Hajo v. Mar 27, 2007, 3:38pm EDT
I see this site as a place to publish original content and share with people. I don't like to see copy-paste stuff that is not created by the people posting it.
So I am not opposed to videos as a form of creativity, but I fear that most stuff would be copied from other sites.
Sames goes with audio. I have seen some fabulous audio podcasting sites. As long as it is original and an outcome of the member's creativity, I think it has value.
But please make sure that we are spared just another copy of some silly stuff published elsewhere.
But Gather needs to decide what they want: either a clear profile (in marketing jargon: a unique selling proposition), differentiating this site from others (and that currently seems to be writing and reading), or something-for-everybody and going into direct competition with you-tube and others, possibly losing your own profile.
I would vote for a more cautious route, which doesn't exclude different media, but puts original creativity first.
Are you likely to publish video on Gather? no
Do you enjoy watching video online? rarely
What video content do you enjoy most? porn ;-)
Are there any specific features you would like Gather to consider for Video? not really
Travis B. Mar 27, 2007, 3:44pm EDT
"What video content do you enjoy most? porn ;-)"

w00t!
Tyler W. Mar 27, 2007, 3:49pm EDT
No video please. We already have too many people writing about their lunch and bowel movements (or something like it). I can't image it helping anything at all.

Let people post elsewhere if need be and link.
Mariana T. Mar 27, 2007, 4:29pm EDT
Porn, lol - no I was thinking more the Fruit Lady variety for myself...it's more my style. good thread here. Salud.
NO.. not in ANY form.. the poor thing suffers under load now!
♥kyra D. Apr 24, 2007, 11:53am EDT
I vote NO to video on Gather.
Marco P. Apr 27, 2007, 7:43pm EDT
I answer "yes' to all of the above in your article, my passion is video editing and have lots of clips and video I would share, I posted one through a link to youtube, It would be great If we had an upload system through gather.
Marco P. Apr 27, 2007, 8:02pm EDT
Because of the diversity of opinions reguarding the introduction of video on gather,
I suggest keeping Gather.com dedicated to writers, thats what this site was intended for originally, and eventually create a Gathervideo.com that pertains to Video and Images as another tool for expressing creativity, tips and knowledge, that could be moderate by each member and flaged or deleted accordingly to proper content
Jean E. Apr 27, 2007, 8:06pm EDT
I would not interest me - but then I don't watch much regular t.v. either.

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