esnippers' den

Online video and audio content sharing on eSnips

A few days ago we launched a major version upgrade that includes a bunch of new features. I already mentioned a couple:

Favorites - gather all your favorite files, folders and eSnippers in one place.
Color Schemes for eSnips folders – pick a new look for your eSnips folders and change your folders' color scheme.

Yesterday, at DEMO Fall 2006, we announced the main new feature of this version - the online video and audio creation.
If you have a webcam or microphone you can now create personal voice or video content. You can add a video or audio recording to any eSnips folder – it's as easy as uploading a file. Simply record your message and upload it to eSnips immediately.
Your recording can be an introduction to your profile, an introduction to your folder, and you can even leave audio/video comments in other eSnippers’ files.
Now you can really tell the world what you think!
If you're a musician or karaoke fan, you can introduce your folder with a video of yourself singing your best song. If you're a painter, say a few words about the paintings in your folder. And anyone can tell more about themselves with a video or voice introduction to their profile. How cool is that?
You can use the toolbar to create your video or audio file, or create it directly from the eSnips website. Here's how you do it:

Creating content from the eSnips website
You can create a video or audio file directly from your eSnips folder and immediately upload it to this folder. Click on "Shoot a video" or "Record voice and music"; you'll see it on the right, under "Create Files".

To add a personal intro to your folder, click on "Shoot video" or "Record voice" at the top of your folder.

To add a personal intro to your profile go to your Profile tab where you'll see this box:

Then choose whether you'd like to add a voice intro, or a video intro.

If you're going to add a comment in a folder, you'll see that you can choose between a video comment, audio comment, and text comment.
Whether you're creating a personal profile introduction, a folder introduction, recording a comment or just recording your new song, you'll be using our online video and audio creating tools. They're really simple; just follow the How-to Tips on the page.

Creating content from the eSnips Toolbar
First, you must upgrade to the new version of the Toolbar. Once you have the updated Toolbar you'll see the voice and video buttons on it.

You can find detailed explanations on how to create a voice recording from the Toolbar here, and on how to create a video recording here.
Please note that for better video quality, it is recommended that you use the Toolbar.

eSnippers have already started creating their own video and audio content, if you'd like to see a few examples you can listen to Victoria's profile intro, Rama's intro, see Killermama's intro and check out the intros in FredEric's folder, charlieatomix folder or Joyce's folder.

You may have also noticed that your eSnips profile page has a few new additions, like the "Snippy meter" that illustrates how many public folders you have (compared to others).
We're constantly looking for ways to make eSnips better, easier and more fun. Let us know what you think about the latest additions.

Pick a new look for your eSnips folders

This is definitely an exciting time for us. We've been adding a bunch of new stuff to eSnips lately and eSnips keeps getting better and more fun.
I already mentioned the new Favorites earlier this week, and I will provide more details on other new (and extremely cool) features next week.
But one addition that has already been noticed and used by a lot of eSnippers is the new color schemes for eSnips folders.
You can now change the default color scheme of any folder to one of the options listed in your "folder settings". Click on "Edit folder settings" from within your folder or from the list of folders in your "Folders" tab.

It's great to see the variety of colorful folders on eSnips now, each depicting the owner's personal taste and design preference. Currently 5 color schemes are available (in addition to the default template), and we'll be adding more soon.
Here are a few examples:

   

   

Add files, folders & eSnippers to your Favorites

Want to keep track of your favorite eSnippers? Want to check what's new in your favorite folders? Want to go back to listen to your favorite karaoke or look at your favorite painting again?
Now you can gather all your favorites in one place. Just click on "Add to Favorites" and the file, folder or eSnipper will be added to your list.

Everything you add will be listed in your "Favorites" tab. Each time you want to go back to one of them, go to this tab and click on the Favorite you'd like to visit. You can also rearrange their order or delete ones you no longer want.

And it gets better – when you visit a user's profile you'll be able to see what this person chose as Favorites. It's a great way to meet new people - if you found a person interesting; you may find his/her Favorites interesting as well.

Curious about how many people liked your stuff? Check out how many "Favorited" your files and folders.

Tell us more about yourself

We added a few interesting questions to the eSnips profile so we can get to know you better. Simply go to edit your profile and give truthful answers to the questions.

It's really cool to see what answers other eSnippers have provided. Check out these examples:
truckee10, Mike, karim.touma, EdMakowski, deb_archan, shyamalchatterji, coach.norm.
I already discovered a few eSnippers who share my love for sushi :-)