There's a discussion going on in the blogosphere about the Network2.tv video directory. I spoke with Chris Brogan, on the phone, about it yesterday and Network2 is making changes to address the issues. Some are already live such as bringing back the permalink of the blog post. Permalinks were there earlier, I told them that it was a requirement, but permalinks fell off in the last upgrade. They are back now in addition to more prominent links back to the video owner's website.
DO WE NEED VIDEO DIRECTORIES?
We need video directory sites. I like them because sometimes they provide a better way to look at my past videos than my blog software does.
While the Network2.tv site was being developed, I sent in suggestions to help make it better, and they've always listened, and implemented the changes I've asked for.
I'm thinking about these questions:
ASK PERMISSION VS. BEING FORGIVENDIGG IS HERE
Grace Murray Hoper would love this. By making a site opt-out it puts the burden on the content maker to find the site that has your content in it and then figure out if you want it on there and if you don't figure out how to get it off. Getting a personal email asking if you want to be included is a better way of handling things. But what if it's Google? How could we expect them to ask everyone before listing their content?
LINKS BACK
If you have an RSS 2.0 feed with media enclosures, and people are watching your videos via RSS feedreaders like Bloglines, FireAnt and Democracy, what's the difference of them watching on a video directory site as long as you get a link back? What's easiest for the viewer?
Should video be played at the directory site or link you back to the source page where the video came from? If you've got a business on your site with a lot of ads supporting your work and that's how you derive revenue, then I'd think that you would be happy to be listed in a directory, but want the videos to be viewed back on your site. If you've got embedded ads then you might not mind having your videos spread to many sites. The whole issue of having a home on the web vs. having your videos have a life of their own has come up many times in the Yahoo! Videoblogging group. Some people say that once you post a video, it'll have a life of it's own. With sites like YouTube, blip.tv and Revver, there are embed codes built in which encourage putting the videos on other sites. The difference though is between an individual reposting your video to let people know about it vs. a directory site that takes ALL your content and puts up up on their site.
MONEY
How much advertising on a directory site is ok? Google ads supporting hosting costs?
If the directory site gets millions of dollars in VC funding, should the video creators be compensated in some way?
If you as the directory site are getting millions, and all the content is made by others, is that fair? At that point who's content is the programming? Would HBO or ABC just go out and take the best vlogger's videos and post them online? I've got a Creative Commons license embedded in my RSS feed which specifies that you can reuse my content but not for commercial purposes. Is a directory a commercial purpose? Google is, but we all want to be in Google, so it's a trade off.
Now Digg has a podcast directory. The videos play embedded in the page and they provide links back. You can submit your feed to be included in the digg directory of online videos. Lots of traffic over there. What do you do?
I took a quick tour of a few sites that list my videos. I found them on a Google search. Some I knew about, some I didn't.
Here are a few things I looked for on each site:
BRIEF SITE REVIEW
Link to Permalink of Blog Post: If the site displays my video they MUST link back to the source page of the video, usually a blog post with a permalink.
Plays on page in an embedded player: Does the site link back to my video on my blog or does it play the video on place?
Displays my CC License: My CC license is embedded in my RSS feed. Does the directory display it as required by my license?
Ads displayed on page: Is the site displaying ads?
Podcast Directory
Link to Permalink of Blog Post: Yes
Plays on page in an embedded player: It would if it was sized correctly
Displays my CC License: No
Ads displayed on page: Yes
Mefeedia
Link to Permalink of Blog Post: Yes
Plays on page in an embedded player: Yes
Displays my CC License: No
Ads displayed on page: No
BroadSnatch
Site never loads
FireAnt.tv
Link to Permalink of Blog Post: Yes
Plays on page in an embedded player: Yes
Displays my CC License: No
Ads displayed on page: Yes
Dabble
Link to Permalink of Blog Post: Yes
Plays on page in an embedded player: No
Displays my CC License: Dabble pulls in licensing from lots of sites (Blip.tv, Internet Archive, etc) and displays them. But if licensing isn't properly displayed, it's hard for search sites like Dabble to show that info properly. [ Info from Mary Hodder ]
Ads displayed on page: No
Network2.tv
Link to Permalink of Blog Post: Yes
Plays on page in an embedded player: Yes (New Posts) / No (Older Posts)
Displays my CC License: No
Ads displayed on page: No
digg Podcasts (BETA)
Link to Permalink of Blog Post: Yes
Plays on page in an embedded player: Yes
Displays my CC License: No
Ads displayed on page: Yes