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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2013 12:16:47 GMT
Since not everybody uses Facebook, I figured it would only be natural to put a link here to our first real promotional video which we hope might interest some new people to come and join us. It has just been added to the Any Port in a Storm Facebook page.
This was just one of my usual scatterbrained ideas, so I ought to explain that I used exclusively my own photos to illustrate this video in order to eliminate the ethical dilemma of asking some of you for permission to include a few of your pictures and to prevent the ensuing psychodramas about photos not included ("How come you used XYZ's pitiful pictures while ignoring my masterpieces?")
If anybody can think of a way to use photos from a variety of people (with their permission) without upsetting the others, I would certainly like to hear about it.
In an ideal world, there would be a series of videos over the coming months to display our photographic expertise in a number of subjects -- architecture, festivals, food, botanical wonders, people, and showcases of various countries and cities (list very much open to expansion).
If you think it is an awful idea, I would like to hear that, too.
Anyway, here is the video.
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Post by bjd on Jun 8, 2013 12:56:03 GMT
Your pictures look great, especially since I put them full screen. The only series that don't "fit" the port theme, in my opinion, are the ones of the Far West. Somehow, they looked like an addition that doesn't really belong.
The others of real seaports or rivers are all fine.
Of course, I realize that there are tons of photos on the site that have nothing to do with ports, but as an advertising video, sticking to the port idea -- as you do in most of the video -- is best.
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Post by Kimby on Jun 8, 2013 13:02:02 GMT
K2, clicked the link in great anticipation only to get a message saying the video is unavailable at this time. I think it's a great idea. Looking forward to seeing it when the bugs are ironed out.
Re: using others' photos, perhaps we could start a "Best of Any Port" thread where people could copy & paste favorite photos ( making sure to credit the photographer) and/or post links to favorite threads...
Keep up the good work!
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Post by Kimby on Jun 8, 2013 13:21:11 GMT
On the second attempt I got to watch till 3:34 when the video seized up on my iPhone. Love the music and text over images. I would hope that somewhere in the video it is mentioned that APIAS is an online community of travelers who share information, insights and photos from all over the world...
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Post by htmb on Jun 8, 2013 14:09:06 GMT
Just an fyi: On both my ipad and my iPhone, when clicking on the video link, I got the message "The content owner has not made this video available on mobile. Add to playlist to watch on PC later."
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 8, 2013 14:28:26 GMT
I like the video very much. The inclusion of the American west pictures was excellent. After all, the video is meant to give some idea of the breadth of anyport subjects, so sticking too closely to the port theme would give an overly limited idea of what can be included here. Re: using others' photos, perhaps we could start a "Best of Any Port" thread where people could copy & paste favorite photos ( making sure to credit the photographer) and/or post links to favorite threads... Sorry, Kimby -- not only is that somewhat redundant, it's just as likely to cause offense to some. Also, there's always the danger on a board like this of intimidating shyer people who'd like to participate but hold back because of thinking, "Oh, so&so's pics/threads/text/research is so much better than mine could ever be." I do have an idea I think you'll like that's similar, but sidesteps the built-in perceived or real competitive aspect, but this is not the place to discuss it. I would hope that somewhere in the video it is mentioned that APIAS is an online community of travelers who share information, insights and photos from all over the world... Yes, that's covered very gracefully in the video itself & in the Description section below the video on the youtube page. first real promotional video which we hope might interest some new people to come and join us. It has just been added to the Any Port in a Storm Facebook page. Ahem. This is the second promotional video. Quite a while back, when youtube's slideshow function was more primitive, I made a short video using only my photos. It was only on Oaxaca and, at the time I didn't have the wit to include Any Port in the video name, although it featured prominently in the video & had a blurb & link in the Description section. That brings me to two things: a) Kerouac's video is wider in scope, so more "official" in presenting anyport to the public. However, when people create youtube videos for putting in their threads here, simply including the link to anyport's home page & to the pertinent thread in the Description below the video will also help a great deal in promoting this forum. b) Share links to anyport & anyport threads on your facebook page, in email, or any other way you can. "Liking" is flattering, but doesn't carry a link out to the world the way Sharing will. Kerouac, you already know my very positive impression of the video. However, I'm not enthusiastic about the idea of creating videos with the photos of others. Obviously, I'm all for the idea of promotion, but it would be optimum if all members would become more active in publicizing the forum. Obviously, introducing others to the forum via the new video is an excellent way of doing that.
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Post by htmb on Jun 8, 2013 15:06:25 GMT
I think kerouac's video post on fb was a brilliant idea. Personally, I think it would be redundant to create more videos, the idea being " want to see more beautiful photographs, then visit AnyPort." can the video be accessed directly via YouTube? Perhaps I can access it that way. Or, is it totally tied to FB?
However, it seems there are lots of visitors who pop in, but don't join. Is there something more you/we can do to get them to join the community? Plus, the site is so much easier to navigate as a member, rather than a visitor.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2013 15:30:21 GMT
So, does anybody know how to make videos available on mobile devices?
Htmb, if you click where it says YouTube in the bottom right corner of a YouTube link, it opens the video directly from the YouTube site.
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Post by htmb on Jun 8, 2013 15:32:27 GMT
Well, Kimby got it working on her iPhone, so maybe I just don't have the right app.
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Post by htmb on Jun 8, 2013 15:36:28 GMT
Htmb, if you click where it says YouTube in the bottom right corner of a YouTube link, it opens the video directly from the YouTube site. That's what I did, but it opened YouTube within FB. Also, I don't have a YouTube account but there is a nice big button that offers me membership. Perhaps that's the issue.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 8, 2013 15:37:39 GMT
it would be redundant to create more videos, the idea being " want to see more beautiful photographs, then visit AnyPort." "Like"! ;D can the video be accessed directly via YouTube? Here's the link: You make excellent points in your last paragraph. I think this forum does a much better job than many in avoiding too much cozy, exclusive chat -- something which keeps visitors from feeling welcome. Do you think some kind of welcome message would be too fussy? One thing this forum lacks is any way to add it to an RSS feed. Once we move to the new version provided by our host forum, that will be available. I haven't been very successful with this myself, but if you have friends who like to take pictures or to talk about their travels or hobbies, they're perfect candidates for anyport. One problem in sharing links is how many people think that the link is part of a blog. Getting those people to look around enough to understand how the forum works might pull them in.
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Post by htmb on Jun 8, 2013 15:46:12 GMT
Unfortunately, the direct link to YouTube took me there, but the video would not load. Perhaps if Kerouac loads it directly into YouTube as well as FB. Sorry to be a nuisance about this, but if I'm have issues getting it to load, perhaps others may be having problems, too.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2013 16:10:02 GMT
But I did load it directly to YouTube -- otherwise it would not exist as a YouTube video. The link that Bixa gave is the one and only link that exists.
The only thing I worried about would be if the music would be accepted everywhere, but when it is not, there is a message that clearly states "this video is not available in your country due to copyright issues."
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Post by htmb on Jun 8, 2013 16:12:34 GMT
As for making people feel welcome, I can only point to my experience. Two or three years ago I followed one of Kerouac's links from TA to this site so I could look at his description of getting from the terminal at CDG to the train into Paris. I later followed a few of his and FMT's links to different reports on Paris and France in general, again from TA. Their reports were interesting and helpful, but I didn't have the time to do a lot of extra exploring around the whole site.
It wasn't until last June that, bored with the same old TA comments about "pickpockets in Paris," and "what's the best way to get from the airport to my hotel/apartment," and with a little new-found time on my hands, I took the plunge and joined. Later, when I had a question about Paris (Homeless Camp on RER B), I knew I would get a response by posting on AnyPort, and that was encouraging.
Having a place to post photographs and reports has been great, since my family gets glazed eyes after awhile when I talk about what I saw or did on a trip. I've also found myself taking more photographs and looking at my surrounding with a more critical eye.
So, I don't know the answer, bixa. I think just making/keeping AnyPort as user friendly and welcoming as possible goes a long way. However, joining/posting is an individual decision and one of those "right place at the right time" type of things.
I also wish to say that I appreciate the tone of behavior here and like knowing I am associated with a site where (almost always) members are civil and respectful of each other. I also like knowing that language and posts here are appropriate for almost any age person. I imagine it is a difficult job making sure we all conduct ourselves in a proper and respectful manner, and I wish to credit you, Bixa and Kerouac, for keeping this site going/thriving for the past four plus years. I know it must be a labor of love and takes a tremendous amount of time and effort.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 8, 2013 16:19:57 GMT
Aw, thank you, Htmb!
Have you tried clearing your cache before attempting the video again?
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Post by htmb on Jun 8, 2013 16:27:39 GMT
Yep. Same message.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2013 16:30:00 GMT
Well, it's a good thing you're already a member because clearly that video is not going to be able to convince you if you can't see it. (Have you tried using a different browser?)
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2013 16:33:07 GMT
Just out of curiosity -- can you see the Henning Wessel memorial video? It was made exactly the same way.
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Post by htmb on Jun 8, 2013 16:47:52 GMT
I'm just so lazy right now, Kerouac! What I need to do is go upstairs, plug in and turn on my desktop (also a Mac) and give it a try, but so far I'm stuck downstairs. I will, eventually, and will give you a report. As for my iPad, the only browser I currently have is So, maybe it was a flash thing. I downloaded a browser with flash for iPad app and logged in to FB using that browser, rather than my FB app. It worked! Just an FYI, the majority of iPad users (or at least ipad II) will not have flash available to them. There is a free browser with flash app called "Penguin" that I've used before. Since that one expired, and a new install refused to work, I bought an app called Photon. Anything to keep from going upstairs. Nice video, though I will need to watch the whole thing later. Can a link to the video be added to the FB description alongside the URL link to AnyPort?
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Post by nautiker on Jun 9, 2013 20:11:16 GMT
'Leider ist dieses Video, das Musik von UMG beinhaltet, nicht in Deutschland verfügbar, da die GEMA die Verlagsrechte hierfür nicht eingeräumt hat' so, no 'new people' from Germany for now...
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2013 20:12:36 GMT
I knew that would happen! Germany seems to be the strictest country for music on YouTube.
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Post by nautiker on Jun 9, 2013 20:33:57 GMT
indeed, I guess there are more videos on youtube that cannot be accessed from here compared to those that can...
it's a fierce battle.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2013 20:52:13 GMT
Don't worry. The problem will be solved for Germany, even if it has to be in silence....
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Post by htmb on Jun 9, 2013 21:17:51 GMT
Sorry, Kerouac, I just saw your question about the HW video. Flash seems to be the key. On the ipad I could not see either video in Safari. It was only when I logged in to my new alternate browser, Photon, AND activated flash that I could watch each video in turn. Using my YouTube app I can also watch the HW movie with no problems.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 9, 2013 22:25:49 GMT
Anyone using Android & upgrading from Ice Cream Sandwich to Jelly Bean will lose Flash. Why Android thinks that's a good idea is anyones guess.
I'm using Jelly Bean, but have an app for Flash. Your alternate browser seems great, Htmb, but I believe there's also an app for iOS users.
I'm sure Kerouac can find something appropriate in the youtube non-copyright music selections so that the poor Germans aren't forced to hum or play the piano when viewing the video.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2013 10:28:23 GMT
Here is the video with different music which should be available in all countries without creating copyright issues.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2013 15:35:22 GMT
Fortunately I was able to view these with no problem at all. I absolutely loved all of them and I thank y'all for your posting them. I would not be opposed at all to doing more using more members photos.
I had seen the HWINPP video in another thread and viewing it again was very bittersweet to say the least. I really miss him on here.
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Post by htmb on Jun 11, 2013 23:31:26 GMT
Brilliant! Very well done. Your video showcases your rich and colorful photos nicely, and your narrative does a great job of being welcoming and inviting. I enjoyed watching, and even saw a few photos (Cambodia and Laos) for the first time. I think this was a very good idea.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 12, 2013 0:20:04 GMT
Here is the link to anyport's youtube channel. It can't be found by searching yet, because even though it has two videos, only one was uploaded directly through the nascent channel. (one less than youtube requires to include it in search)www.youtube.com/channel/UCKUgYyABOUujY8qrou-jNzQ
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Post by lugg on Jun 12, 2013 6:16:08 GMT
I like the video lots , great idea . Not sure about the music though that is a personal thing, (I found it "jarring" ) ...sorry I know how difficult it is to find music that is allowed across the globe. I think Htmb is also right in that we have to all do our best to promote the forum as much as we can. I realise I am such a technophobe / technonaive
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