You need to have several characteristics to be considered a YouTuber. You need to be original, productive, have a decent audience, and that’s just to name a few. Recently, several people have expressed that they felt Ray William Johnson doesn’t fit the YouTuber profile with his show =3.

If you’re not aware of Ray’s series, =3, it’s a short 4-5 minute show that makes observational humor out of three videos. These videos are content uploaded by other websites or various individuals. You can easily compare this to The Soup; a television show that makes observation humor out of other shows. There’s no question that Ray is equally as funny as Joel McHale.

The argument is that Ray isn’t original, because he’s using others videos to support his own. This is half true. Some originality is loss from the use of others’ videos; however, another type of originality is gain. Never before has a YouTuber MCed viral videos the way that Ray has.

Too many networks have tried to create shows that are base on web videos. While this may bridge the gap between online and television entertainment, shows such as Web Soup won’t get the audience it deserves. It’s only natural that a web version of Web Soup would become successful. The =3 show brings both the internet audience closer together and gives new media more merit.

Ray William Johnson’s main channel fits the profile of a YouTuber. He’s productive with two shows a week, has an audience that rivals that of some television shows, and is both original and innovative with something that brings the community closer together. It’s also a step closer to seeing a full fledge YouTube channel that focuses YouTubers’ videos rather than YouTubers themselves. By the way, he’s doing your mom.

Now is the best time to put out camcorders that record in 3D. Especially since YouTube and Google are working hard on making videos available in 3D. However, who would have thought it would come from pocketcam maker DXG? Well believe it or not, they did.

Their pistol-grip, dual lens stereoscopic 3D View model comes with a 7-inch digital video viewer. The 3D in both the camcorder’ 3-inch 3D LCD viewfinder LCD and frame look almost look holographic. The video is shot in Motion JPEG; however, you won’t likely be able to view the 3D footage on anything other than the DXG panel. Still, there’s always a chance that it will be YouTube compatible.

This camcorder will put you back at about $400, and won’t even be out until June. However, the upside is that bigger companies will probably put out more effective 3D camcorders. Hopefully they’ll be YouTube compatible as well. What do you think about this? Will 3D camcorders be the next HD, or is this all a big waste of time and money?

This week I got to sit down with a man who puts out more videos a week than the Octomom does babies, Peter Coffin. We talk about the latest block buster, Avatar, why music parodies may no longer do well on YouTube, what to look out for as a YouTube partner, and much more in this nearly hour long podcast.

When we think of parodies we often think of YouTubers, VenetianPrincess and Dave Days. Soon there may be another YouTuber that you’ll think of. However, will it be one too many, or will he bring something new to the community?

Like many, the first time I saw Slyth66 I titled my head in curiosity, “Does he have one arm?” but I tilted my head in the other direction, “Wow, is he really that good?” Here I found a young, dedicated YouTuber who has overcome more challenges than most. That alone impresses me.

His content is original, even for music parodies, which are becoming even more difficult to stand out. Yet, they continue to pull in thousands of views. The first one I recall seeing was his Single Ladies parody Pregnant Ladies. Between the catchy lyrics and humorous dancing, I found myself hooked to this YouTuber.

Some don’t like his videos, because of the quality. The problem is that they’re trying to compare him to that of VenetianPrincess or other various top YouTubers. Yes, there’s room for improvement, but it’s not necessary to enjoy his videos. Also, it’s evident that he does everything he can to produce the highest quality videos possible. That in itself is good enough for me.

Slyth66 is unquie amongst the community for various reasons. One reason is that he’s a right arm amputee, but you’ll soon forget that when you start to realize the other reasons. He’s a talented, dedicated, hardworking YouTuber and it’s been paying off for him. Which is why you’ll be both entertained and inspired at the end of his videos.

YouTube being sued is nothing new. It actually seems like it occurs everyday. However, the Viacom case is possibly the biggest and riskiest case for both Google and YouTube. What exactly are they suing them for? Not much, only $1 billion for copyright damages. Now you’re starting to get the picture.

The case is old, three years old to be exact, but it may finally go to trial this year. Viacom argues that YouTube encouraged its users to upload unauthorized video and film clips. However, YouTube and Google argue that Viacom’s employees may have uploaded said clips as well.

Which employees exactly? Stephen Colbert, John Stewart, the creators of South Park just to name a few. Google’s argument is that there is no way to determine which clips were pirated and which ones were uploaded with Viacom’s blessing. Recently, there’s been news that Google’s attorneys have received depositions from Viacom’s employees.

Colbert, while at last month’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of Second City (a comedy group), acknowledged giving a deposition. However, his deposition sounded a little unorthodox. He told the gathering of comedians there was some confusion about whether he was answering questions as himself or as the character he plays on the show.

“The whole deposition was in front of two people,” Colbert explained to the crowd, “I had a coffee cup, and I would move it side to side to differentiate who I was answering for. It was insane.”

Creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

Stewart also has given a deposition to Google’s attorneys. However, Stone and Parker (creators of South Park) were not required to. Instead, they were supposed to turn over documents, which they have yet to do. Google wasn’t very amused which led to a letter to U.S. District Judge Louis Stanton.

The attorneys asked the court to force Stone and Park to produce the requested documents. A representative for the two said, “We intend to comply with the court order and produce the requested documents in a timely way.”

As you can imagine, this court case will only get more interesting as the trail gets closer. Do you believe that Viacom has a case, or do you believe that they’re trying to bully YouTube over something that was out of their control?

A 13 year-old British boy is walking proof of how YouTube can once again change someone’s life. The video Geraint Llyr Owen performing a solo of Pie Jesu was all it took. Producers instantly knew they wanted him to perform the same piece on Broadway.

Officials from Distinguished Concert International contacted the Llandaff Catherdral Choir, where Owen has sung for five years. That’s when they invited him to sing in the Martin Luther King Day concert on January 18th. Owen expressed his reaction, “I have always wanted to see Broadway, but to perform there is a dream come true.”

The concert was originally broadcasted on Welsh-language channel S4C and was then posted on YouTube where it was seen by the concert organizers.

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1. Don’t sub 4 sub

You may think that going around asking “sub 4 sub” won’t affect you in a negative way, but it does. I often find myself hearing about talented YouTubers who are losing respect from other YouTubers, because they see their “sub 4 sub” comments all across channels. It makes you seem desperate, untalented, and lazy. In the end you may have a few more subscribers, but you lost the respect of the YouTube community.

To read more about why it’s important to not sub 4 sub, click here.

2. Don’t crowd your box

Several YouTubers have a difficult time keeping the amount of people they have in their box low. Whenever you have more than four YouTubers in your box you’re devaluing any subscribers that they receive. I personally find myself less likely to subscribe to boxed YouTubers when the list is longer than how much toilet paper I have left. If I do subscribe, there’s a good chance I won’t remember to look out for their videos. However, when the list is small I’m more likely to subscribe and check out their videos. Now if you’re trying to help out a friend, that’s fine, but maybe you want to rotate the people in your box every few days.

Note: Collab channels are an exception to this rule where they box the participants.

3. Don’t box 4 box

This ties in with the above “don’t”s. Box 4 box is the same thing as sub 4 sub, but on a larger scale. A box should be used to reward and acknowledge outstanding YouTubers. When you’re giving your box space to anyone who will put you in their box you’re instantly devaluing its propose. You’re also losing the respect of other YouTubers who see your dozens of “box 4 box” comments.

4. Don’t spam others’ videos

Nothing is more insulting than when another YouTuber begs for others using video comments to view their videos. We worked hard on our videos and hope to get organic feedback. When we see, “I love ur vid check out mine” we get disgusted. First, we know nothing about you to want to check out your videos. Secondly, exactly how many times have you copied and pasted that same comment?

5. Don’t beg to be seen

Every YouTuber loves to receive messages and channel comments from their subscribers, and it can be time consuming to read and respond to all of them. With that said, nothing irritates us when we get messages begging for us to view videos and subscribe. This shouldn’t be confused for introducing yourself as a YouTuber, explaining what type of videos you do, and exactly why you think we should check you out. However, when you’re using internet slang and come off very demanding we take note of who you are and delete your message.

6. Don’t beg for collabs

Doing collabs with other YouTubers is a big part of the community. However, it’s very time consuming and we often have to be picky as to whom we collab with. It’s okay to ask a YouTuber if they can collab with you, but if they say “No” then please don’t beg. This makes you seem immature and gives you a bad reputation as someone who is unprofessional. It also helps to have already made several videos first, because having no videos gives us little to no idea what you can do.

7. Don’t beg for shout outs

If you want a YouTuber to shout you out and they say “No” then please don’t beg them. In matter of fact, don’t randomly ask for a shout out. Shout outs have to be earned otherwise they would have no merit to them. Now if you can make a deal where you provide something of equal value for them in return then it’s okay to ask. Until then, it’s best to continue working hard and hope that your efforts may one day be noted and promoted.

8. Don’t start over again… and again… and again

This really applies to smaller YouTubers, because that’s all you’ll ever be if you keep starting over on YouTube. Rarely does anyone have the perfect start on YouTube, so, don’t expect to have one yourself. If you don’t have the views, the comments, the ratings, the ideas, and/or quality then fix it instead of running away from it. You’ll always have the same problems no matter how many times you close your account and open a new one. In matter of fact, you’ll have more problems. So stick it out and start brain storming on how you can improve on your current channel.

9. Don’t be lazy

Sometimes you can’t avoid going on a hiatus due to school, work, or family related situations, and that’s understandable. However, some YouTubers just get lazy and will go weeks or even months without uploading a video. Here’s the great thing about YouTube videos, they’re quick and easy to create. If you only have an hour a day for the next seven days, use that hour on each day to work on a video to upload at the end of the week. If you don’t, do a simple vlog. Shane Dawson has been doing videos with blood tubes hanging out of him. So there should be no excuses for laziness.

10. Don’t have an attitude

As a YouTuber, you need to prepare yourself for both positive and not so positive input. Nothing is more insulting than when a YouTuber is polite and nice, asking me for my input, then do a 180 when my input isn’t what they wanted to hear. No matter what you do, for serious or for fun, people are always going to tell you want you can do better. How should you react? Suck it up, learn from it, and apply it. If you can’t handle constructive criticism then YouTube isn’t the place for you.

To read more Tips & Tricks, click here.

A very popular YouTube video has transformed the life of its star, Danny MacAskill, in 2009. The video shows MacAskill’s bike talents as he climbs trees, balances on the top of fences, and jumps up steps and over large objects while on a bicycle. The “Inspired Bicycles” video was uploaded last April and has since generated over 13.6 million views.

CNN has recently reported that MacAskill has been offered movie roles. He has also been reported on and featured and storied worldwide. This is currently an example of how much someone’s life can change with YouTube. The video was shot in Scotland over several months, so it was filmed with several takes. Still, it’s remarkable that he was never impaired by the fence.

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YouTube may soon have a variety of interactive games. Recently, Google has filed a patent, entitled “Web-Based System for Generation of Interactive Games Based on Digital Videos.” With this patent, many assume that new, player-friendly video base games will be added to YouTube’s vast collection of videos.

It was filed in 2009 and published this month; the interactive game patent addressed modern technologies as they applied to the concept of interactive gaming. It read: “Such annotations can be used to construct interactive games using videos, such as a game in which clicking on different portions of a video leads to different outcomes.”

Google has not yet commented on the validity of this patent. However, it sounds like something that Shane Dawson along with many other YouTubers have already done. So what exactly can we expect? Maybe there will be an easier system to connect videos together. Other than that, it’s really hard to say.