Chatterbox : video

Firefox 3.5: What's New?

Lindsey Robbins — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:42:00 GMT

I’ve had my head down for quite some time now (haven’t you noticed everyone is so busy lately?) and the launch of Firefox 3.5 almost passed me by without much notice. Well, it almost did until my browser kept crashing unexpectedly and I noticed it recommended I could update. Sure, why not I said because I was already losing time and I really was resisting the sage advice to reboot. Rebooting is my arch nemesis even if it somehow fixes things.

After downloading and installing, something in the new features jumped off the screen. It was a development I heard about but had completely forgotten about. Firefox 3.5 now supports HTML5 and embedded video. The idea being with the new version of HTML they could specify a common video codec for all browsers to use so you wouldn’t need to download any plug-ins like Flash, Silverlight, or JavaFX. They’ve run into some problems getting all companies to agree to this common video codec but there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Someday, we may be able to watch video on a website without any extra software installations. The browser would play the video based on the website’s code.

For me, this is a big deal because when the industry can agree on a common standard, then support for video on pages can improve. Someday, this could mean you would have the ability to see video on any computer, platform, or device. Uniformity can equal improved performance.

As a technical communicator, when they can agree on how to improve watching video online, it can mean finding ways to embed video in help documentation. Currently, we can’t embed video without serious consideration for making sure your viewing experience is positive and headache free. If you have to install something extra, worry about browser stability, and consider performance issues (like internet bandwidth) then the help becomes not so helpful. Therefore, standards and consistency make me happy. Even I have to admit, I don’t like to have to stop my website browsing to install something just to watch a brief video. I also get upset when I can watch video on one website but not another on my iPhone.

It will take a while for this movement to take effect because websites will have to start authoring in HTML5 but now it’s more possible to see it taking effect when a browser like Firefox supports it.

Other notable features include: private browsing mode, location aware browsing, an improved awesome bar, one-click bookmarking, and more. More information is available on the Firefox website and this great overview video http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/video/. I think I’m just excited because the internet browser market is getting more competitive, faster, and more options to customize your experience.

Connecting and Inspiring Activism on YouTube

Lindsey Robbins — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:41:00 GMT

My bad. I wish I could say my blog disappearing act was a result of these two distracting me...

L-R: Hanna, Ike

But in reality, I've been absorbed in my little world where I've been split between The Education Edge, Student Information System beta (and preparing for release later this year) and The Raiser's Edge.

However, over the past two weeks something on my periphery caught my attention. It was the emergence of the national conventions, Democratic and Republican, and their use of YouTube to bring you speeches and behind the scenes footage.

I loved that they integrated all forms of video to make you feel like you were part of the convention even if you weren't there. I'm guessing they will not only make connections with their audience but also inspire some to take up political activism even if they had never done so before.

Even if you're not political or even if you like some other side than the left and right, it's interesting to take a step back, tune out the politics, and just see what actions they are taking from a social media perspective. I know I'm not the type to sit down every night during the conventions to watch. I just don't have the attention span anymore. But, give me short little videos I can have some control over on YouTube and I'm a happy clam. Social media under my control (the user) and not dictated by anyone else.

If you want to do some investigations yourself, check out both their channels on YouTube (click on the respective images).

Have you ever thought about creating a YouTube channel and start sharing information about your organization? Or, do you already have a channel? I'd love to see some examples.

Jumpcut - Online Video Editing Tool

Lindsey Robbins — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 19:00:00 GMT

(Originally appeared on From the Doc Side)

Now that our team’s Docs Day 2008 (team training day) is over, I can start sharing all the fun surprises I had for them in my presentation. I presented on my trip to the Society for Technical Communication Summit in June. I’ll be posting reviews on each presentation I went to as I promised in an earlier post. In the meantime, I wanted to share a fun new tool I used for the lunch time entertainment.

I found this site – Jumpcut http://www.jumpcut.com

Jumpcut is a website that makes adding, editing, and sharing video online easy. In 2006, the company was acquired by Yahoo but I don't think it's taken away from this fun, feature rich site. For me, the easy to use editing part was the reason I chose this site. I had embarrassing footage of me doing the Rocky impersonation in Philadelphia and wanted to add the Gonna Fly Now music to create a silly video of me for my team to laugh at. Then when I started playing on the site it was easy to add photos, more music, and transitions. The only issue I came across was trying to figure out how to transition the music. Also cool, people can remix your video or you can give them permission to edit. The features are all easy to use and the learning curve isn’t that steep. In the end, you have a **free** video you can share with others.

At risk of further embarrassment, I’ll post the video here. Warning – it is 8 minutes long! (I got a little out of control). Also, in the beginning I was making fun of the opening session by posting a picture of each person who presented something before the keynote speaker. It just went on and on! Once you get past those though, it’s all pictures of how much fun I had in Philly.

Enjoy a good laugh on me!