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Reasons Why Video Comments Will Work

4 points by dnaquin 18y ago

STHayden 18y ago
they seem to work fine on youtube
walterk 18y ago
I can see video commenting working in limited domains, but as a general format for comments, they're way too inefficient. The reasons this guy gives are valid points about advantages specific to using video, but they do not make the case for why video comments "will work". The advantages of video won't outweigh the advantages of text, because text is so much faster to absorb: I can skim through multiple comment threads as quickly as I could watch a few video comments in one thread. I remember seeing these old videos of computer interface researchers demoing audio/voice interfaces, one being a kind of virtual secretary which understood voice commands and told you about your latest emails and voicemails. It all seemed so novel and exciting at first, but eventually it dawns on you that the novelty will wear thin, and how much faster it would be just to use a visual/text-based interface. This is why Apple invented Visual Voicemail for the iPhone: random access for voicemail messages, and it's way faster deleting things visually rather than having to wait for audio prompts. Video commenting is yet another unfortunate example of people mistaking novelty for utility. This guy is clearly way too invested in his invention to properly assess the disadvantages of using video.
- mixmax 18y ago
  If I could upmod you twice I would...
sanj 18y ago
Reason #1 that they won't work: They take much longer to create than blasting out a bit of text. Reason #2 that they won't work: They take too long to watch. I can't think of the last time I watched TV News. I'd much rather scan NYTimes.
- erickhill 18y ago
  Reason #3. You can't scan the content of video comments AT ALL like you can regular comments, other than how somebody looks. And, #2.5, all of the "ums"and "ahs" lengthen the response, where text is (usually) cleaner and faster and to the point. Love the technology, but until the basic "jist" of a video comment can be quickly gleaned, I'll take browsing comments in 30 seconds vs. 30 minutes any day. It's a wonderful communication tool for people that have no hands.
markm 18y ago
It's good to hear positive titles like that. Up voted.
menloparkbum 18y ago
I'm skeptical that video comments will work, for all the obvious reasons: they take too long to read, they take too long to create, nobody really wants to see squidgy guys talking to their computer in their basement, etc. However, I never anticipated 80s retro, extremely tight pants on men, or the popularity of YouTube "video responses," so seesmic might be onto something.

4 points by dnaquin 18y ago

they seem to work fine on youtube

I can see video commenting working in limited domains, but as a general format for comments, they're way too inefficient. The reasons this guy gives are valid points about advantages specific to using video, but they do not make the case for why video comments "will work". The advantages of video won't outweigh the advantages of text, because text is so much faster to absorb: I can skim through multiple comment threads as quickly as I could watch a few video comments in one thread. I remember seeing these old videos of computer interface researchers demoing audio/voice interfaces, one being a kind of virtual secretary which understood voice commands and told you about your latest emails and voicemails. It all seemed so novel and exciting at first, but eventually it dawns on you that the novelty will wear thin, and how much faster it would be just to use a visual/text-based interface. This is why Apple invented Visual Voicemail for the iPhone: random access for voicemail messages, and it's way faster deleting things visually rather than having to wait for audio prompts. Video commenting is yet another unfortunate example of people mistaking novelty for utility. This guy is clearly way too invested in his invention to properly assess the disadvantages of using video.

mixmax 18y ago
If I could upmod you twice I would...

sanj 18y ago

Reason #1 that they won't work: They take much longer to create than blasting out a bit of text. Reason #2 that they won't work: They take too long to watch. I can't think of the last time I watched TV News. I'd much rather scan NYTimes.

erickhill 18y ago
Reason #3. You can't scan the content of video comments AT ALL like you can regular comments, other than how somebody looks. And, #2.5, all of the "ums"and "ahs" lengthen the response, where text is (usually) cleaner and faster and to the point. Love the technology, but until the basic "jist" of a video comment can be quickly gleaned, I'll take browsing comments in 30 seconds vs. 30 minutes any day. It's a wonderful communication tool for people that have no hands.

markm 18y ago

It's good to hear positive titles like that. Up voted.

menloparkbum 18y ago

I'm skeptical that video comments will work, for all the obvious reasons: they take too long to read, they take too long to create, nobody really wants to see squidgy guys talking to their computer in their basement, etc. However, I never anticipated 80s retro, extremely tight pants on men, or the popularity of YouTube "video responses," so seesmic might be onto something.