Embedded Video goes Viral

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There are a lot more services that allow you to embed themselves on your own website.

My old dream of referenceable TV is becoming a reality.
Check out the latest Simpson video on Hulu:

Here’s the syntax to perform the embedding:

<object width="512" height="296">
   <param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/UXAfciFSseznQ7G5ec_pJQ/253/399"></param>
   <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
   <embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/UXAfciFSseznQ7G5ec_pJQ/253/399"
   type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true"
   width="512" height="296">
   </embed>
</object>

The last two numbers in the movie value url represent the start and end time (253/399) in seconds.

The important part of this syntax is that it allows anyone to go back to the previous part of the clip to see it in full context. It also allows the viewer to continue on to view the rest of the video. It becomes clearer where the truth lies when someone argues about misquoting.

Now the next step in referenceable “television” is a way to combine a series of embedded clips together and retain the links back to the original. That would allow anyone to create mashups similar to the ones produced by the Daily Show.

Top of the Dropdown

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Today I had an interesting online experience while checking out a slideshow service for work. On the signup form was a dropdown box with an unusual “quick pick”.

I’m used to seeing a US-centric world with the US as the top entry, even though, alphabetically, it should be near the bottom. But “India” as #2? I had never seen that before!

I haven’t researched the reason for this. Maybe the founders or employees are Indian. Maybe Indians have more need for this type of service because outsourcing jobs require a slideshow presentation service. In any case, it was
one of those little signs to watch, like the end of cash advances.

Of course in a perfect world, the server would determine the visitor’s likely country of origin and put that at the
top of the list. In the meantime, I’ll continue watch the “top of the dropdown”.