Youtube is an absolutely brilliant idea. It is worldwide. This site enables anyone to watch videos that have been put on the site to share. You CAN watch videos without registering but I would suggest that, like me, you register. It is very easy to do. All you need is an email address and then think up a username and password. You will be guided through the process and it only takes a few minutes...and before you ask, yes. it's free! When you have gone through this process you can upload videos, watch and rate other people's videos, and even comment on these and favourite whatever you want (They are permanently on your page unless you change your mind and remove). You can become friends with like minded people.


You can watch clips from shows, amateur and professional, news clips, comedy, television clips and so on. You can find most things on this site.
Youtube was set up in 2005 by some friends (Paypal employees I have been told) who wanted an easy way to share videos. What an amazing idea! Later the site was purchased by Google and is now a subsidiary of this immense company. It is based in California, U.S.A.


Of course, this type of site can be abused. Some things uploaded are not what you would want to watch or would want children to access. If you think the rules have been violated you can report the video in question and it can be blocked, along with removal of the member.


Youtube itself has been blocked in some countries and, it often happens that it is temporarily blocked by certain countries when they deem a clip to be offensive, usually to their politics or faith. China, not surprisingly, has blocked Youtube.


I joined Youtube about three and a half years ago. The reason I joined was because my daughter set up her own site and she encouraged me to also join to easily access her videos.


At this time my daughter had been involved in a summer school amateur production of 'Oliver' and had played her dream role of Nancy. Her dad recorded some scenes with our camcorder but we had trouble transferring it so, this little would be actress found Youtube, joined and uploaded her video. Quite soon after that she recorded a demo C.D. We made up a few extras and passed them on to interested family members. Soon we found we were having lots of requests for copies so thought it easier to put the C.D. onto Youtube and let people know how to access it. Soon, my daughter had a following. She now has friends who share videos and subscribe to her channel. I have warned her to be careful on this site but totally trust her to be sensible.


Now she has many videos to view. Sometimes I play her songs when I am doing the housework. I also like to 'favourite' videos uploaded by other singers. I made a play list a few weeks ago for my husband to listen to. He is very 'into' music and loves to see unusual clips of people jamming together, or live shows. I made a long list featuring the following: Pink Floyd, Elton John, Yes, Eagles, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Eric Clapton, Kate Bush and many more. He watched and listened to these in succession. With a glass of wine in his hand, and the speaker volume up, he was loving it. Some footage he didn't know existed and had a great time, until the 16 year old Youtuber told us to turn it down!!!


I also use Youtube when helping my daughter to research musicals and songs which she has to sing. She is to play Adelaide at a school end of year production of 'Guys and Dolls'. Before auditioning she looked up songs, such as, 'Adelaide's Lament' so she had prior knowledge of the character.


My favourite site is my daughter's. Yes, I am a proud mum. If you saw how hard she works you would understand. I would put her site information up but don't know who, other than my Dooyoo friends, would read this. If anyone is interested then message me, especially if you too have a site with yourself or someone who is trying to 'make it!' in singing/acting. Constructive criticism is always welcomed and I think these rising young stars need all the encouragement we can give.


Go to www.youtube,com/ to get started.