Ready, Set, Record! Video is Coming to Gather!

This is so exciting. I can't wait to see all the great and fun video posts. This will be a great addition to Gather. Thanks!

awesome! i have been waiting for this since i joined!!!

So, Pam--how are the videos going to be moderated? What are you going to do to see that you don't run into the same difficulties Google's been having over at Youtube? Are you planning on having members policing, like you do with regular articles and photos, and what will you be doing to let people know the rules beforehand?

Lydia's questions are vital: how exactly will TOS be enforced with regard to video? The track record for this with regard to articles isn't encouraging.

whoopie ... !!!!

I have the perfect video to post too!

alas,i do not have a video cam.....will slide shows of still images be allowed?...and how does one post a slide show here?.....excuse my ignorance as am low on the techie totem!...LOL...

cheers,gayle

Eh I'm not sure I like this much, call me a wet blanket lol. I hope it doesn't turn out like youtube where users can post "booty dancing" and other less than appealing videos. But, that which does not allow change, stagnates and dies lol So I will give it a go if i get a video cam.

Yippee! When will it be ready??

I have to hand it to you guys. I'm originally from Pennsyvlania (with a few Amish ancestors way back in the family tree), and you've convinced me to go out and buy a new video camera. Now ... if I can just get down from my horse and buggy long enough to figure out how to use this thing!

sounds like overkill.

I agree Lloyd. I am not liking what Gather is becoming. They cant even respond to emails that we send, and I have problems publishing stuff here as it is. Ugh, overkill is and understatement. I am with Dark also in that you should fix the broken stuff first?

Pam? do ya'll actually have any answers to any of this stuff? Real ones? Have you thought this one through to the end, with ramifications, etc.? Or is this just another everybody's got it so we have to have it thing? If you answer this it would be good to do it with a real, unscripted answer, not a "We're working all the time to improve service for you! We're working on getting stuff fixed! That stuff that we've been working on getting fixed for a year, it'll be fixed any time now! Oh, and all the stuff that we keep breaking--that'll be fixed too!"

Has anybody there noticed that your system is eating articles? That there was an article near the top of the most discussed list yesterday that, thanks to Gather, had no content? What's being done about inclusion for internationals? What's being done about making everything here more transparent?

Video? Whoop-de-do. Make the site work.

I notice that you've put up today's Gather Wonderfulness article without coming back here--are you hoping we'll shut up and go away?

Look for video on the daytripper groups - if it works as promised! I have had some problems getting articles to "stick" on groups I've posted them to also - mostly groups that I own. So we'll wait & see. Video works perfectly fine on my blog ( seeBlogger in Draft, http://daytripperdispatches.blogspot.com)

Do you have a tentative date as to when, and what kind of hook up we need to send video in? and to view it?

However you moderate this is fine by me. I want to be able to post my videos of Michelin star chefs preparing their signature dishes as part of my FOOD BITES column. This is GREAT!

Hi Everyone,
Lots of great questions... I'll try to answer them all. Here we go!

Lydia: Video will be treated in the same manner as articles and images on the site and will not be moderated on Gather. The community will still have the tools and ability to flag videos they believe violate the Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. To that point, the Terms of Service and Community Guidelines are being updated to include the use of video on the site. Because video has unique requirements, there will also be a list of specific video copyright tips.

Danielle: I think the above answer addressed your questions as well.

G-Nikon Photog, Heather W., Terry Shaw and others: No need to go out and buy a video camera! If you own a digital camera or a newish cellphone, chances are it records video too. Check it out, you'll be shocked by the ease of use... I know I was! Also, if you use your digital camera to take video, the process for uploading will be as simple as uploading an image!

Dark, Bonnie and Lydia: You're right... we've been experiencing some serious bugs on the site since our last upgrade. I know you don't want to hear this, but we are aware of the problems, working to fix them and trying our best to constantly improve the site experience for all members. Trust me when I tell you that the addition of video has been thought through very, very carefully and thoroughly. Although I hear your reservations about the addition of today, I know you'll be impressed and engrossed by this exciting addition to the Gather experience.

JoAnne: No official launch date to announce yet... but it's coming soon! You won't need any special kind of hook up to send and view video. If you can publish and view an image on Gather, you'll be able to publish and view a video clip. Gather will provide lots of instructions and guidance once video is actually live on the site.

I think that answers everyones questions... I'll pop back in later today if more questions follow!
Pam

very cool ;)

Hi, thanks for answering part of my questions. Why does Gather and the people who are representatives of Gather refuse to answer emails (including yourself) that are sent.
I think the one of the main reasons that I am still here is because of some great people I have met. Otherwise, I would have been gone a long time ago and in addition once this website becomes "just like every other website" I will probably leave and find a website where my time, effort, and emails are appreciated.

Bad idea. Don't want it, don't need it.

I'm not interested either. I don't have a video camera and I don't go to sites like YouTube to just watch a bunch of stupid stuff. There's already enough of that on Gather without adding video. And will this slow down the speed even more? There are already times when the site is really slow and there are still people out there with dial-up who have a problem with all the photos and graphics.

Hi Bonnie,
I'm sorry to hear you're e-mails are going unanswered. I know our Member Support Team works around the clock answering questions and responding to member e-mails. And on a personal note, I do my best to answer each e-mail I receive in a timely fashion. That's not to say I get to every single one... but I certainly try. On a brighter note, I'm glad to hear you've met great people here on Gather. I'm having the same experience. I've grown and learned so much from the people I've met on the site... I can't wait to take that connection to the next level through the use of video. I just know the addition will be exciting and addictive!

The quality of gather a year ago was much better than now. However, progress and new technology that really works is something to look forward to. Thanks for the heads-up.

Just a word of support - I find the Gather Guides and support staff very responsive, and having joined a year ago and not used it, I'm finding it much more productive now.

That said, I hate the jumble of tags and group names. I would prefer some more consistent naming and tagging format. But I also like the freewheeling aspect and freedom of tagging...it's a balance.

I am still concerned with the obvious abuses that can occur by those who would flag, or those who would step to the line and put one foot over. I would like to see all of the other issues worked through before another huge venture is started. I know we are just members, but sometimes, it is better to listen to those who are here regularly, and take care of other issues. We all know when this is introduced, there will be more issues.

I am still worried about those who would use someone else's video, etc, for their own use, or take the opportunity to use someone's video as a way to stalk, or harass good people.

There are many reasons for one to be apprehensive.

With that said, I really do like that Gather is trying constantly to improve, and to be more exciting. I like the Today articles that you do to keep the community informed, and am very happy with most of the guides and tech assistants. There still needs to be a few tweeks.

I could obviously point out some other concerns that I have seen in the community that would give me a worried thought process when it comes to video before other issues, but, over-all, this can be a great enticement for the young crowd.

Thanks for letting us know Pam....

Let me guess: Is a 'Gather's Funniest Video' contest in the works, complete with another DB voting disaster? Hmm. I'm inclined to agree with those who aren't thrilled with the idea. I DO own a video camera but you won't find me posting content of that type on a public forum.

Sherry, maybe you could do a video on the db voting disasters that have killed good submissions to all of the prior contests. That may be one heck of a funny video, the rules, the obvious drive bys, and then Gather's responding that is generic and not actually showing that they care about the feelings or beliefs of those who lost due to hateful dbs...


I would giggle heartedly at that one....

should be intresting

HAHAHAHA
Looks like a bunch of people complaining. If you people take the internet that seriously, maybe you need to get out and find some other hobbies or recreations. Last time I checked I wasn't paying Gather a member fee to be here, so why should I complain about their site? The Internet is for FUN!

Love the idea of Video. Good Job Gather [applause]. I am excited to see members creativity and the videos they choose to share with me/us. I am firing up the video camera as I type.

Thanks and sorry for the rant. Maybe I am just an old school internet user that comes to enjoy it.

Duess

Pam, is there any way to block people from posting video in comments? Have you thought about it? PLEASE look into it.

I am so tired of threads where half a dozen comments each have a 200k animated GIF - it is untenably slow and adds NO value. If I was on dialup, I would quit the site because of this dren.

It's bad enough when regular members do this but the 'guides' are too and it sets a lousy example of clogging up a page just to show off a sparkly rainbow - sort of like the Stuart character on MAD TV running around yelling "look what I can do"

Hi kitchenMage,
Just an FYI, people will *not* be able to post video in comments... and to that... comment moderation IS coming to Gather. Look for it after video is released!

This is terrific! I have a book trailer in production right now for Chessie Bligh and the Scroll of Andthor - by Thora Gabriel, and can't wait for Gather to provide this new wonderful feature.

Yes! Thanks for thinking of it Pam.

This is great! I've been working on a trailer for my first novel, and a novella. This will allow me to share more extensively with my gather family.

Interesting. I might just do it!

Pam Johnston VP of Community Engagement wrote: "... and to that... comment moderation IS coming to Gather. Look for it after video is released!

Now *there's* the death knell for this place.

I am confused why this is presented as something to be excited about, particularly from a company that claims that "Free speech is what Gather is all about".

I am concerned about the performance issues. Right now Gather is slow as is (some days better and some days worse). But after introducing the videos, wouldn't it be much worse?

Also right now the images have size limit. What will the size limit for videos be?

Sounds interesting to say the least. I think it will be a good thing, as long as Gather can keep up!

I can't wait!!!~

I am so excited about hearing this. I already have videos I want to share.

Comment Moderation? I'd love a little more thoughts on this... what it might detail etc.

I like the idea of the video, but the "Comment Moderation" has got me concerned.

Are we going to be limited on how many times we can comment to an article/image?

Are we going to be limited on how much we can type in a comment (character limit)?

Are we no longer going to have the ability to include images/animations in comments?

I really hope I don't find myself not wanting to comment anymore.

"Comment Moderation? I'd love a little more thoughts on this... what it might detail etc."

Don't worry Melanie. It probably means that article writers who receive comments they don't like or agree with can remove them from their articles. Talk about stifling the conversation that Gather wants to promote. Imagine articles with nothing but fawning praise in the comments, as well as a flow of "conversation" that is constantly disrupted by missing comments.

The only way it could work and not turn the place into a sterile, boring environment is if they instituted comment markers to mark where removed comments once were, and if the comments stayed with the author of the comment. As it stands, comments become "property" of the article author. If they choose to delete their article, all the comments go along with it. Of course a comment author can delete their comments at any time. It would be nice if a marker remained in those cases, too, so conversations make more sense.

Even Myspace which is never slow or boring has the ability to remove poor taste or unwanted comments from their threads. Why should gather not be already doing this?

I'm excited about this, so hopefully it turns out as good as I'm expecting.

Lights! Camera ! Action !
Don't forget any one of the three when you shoot your masterpiece.

Untill now, nobody posted a video...