I was using RSS feeds to get notification of new videos on his channel so I could download them from YouTube, as I refuse to go directly to the YouTube site in the slightest anymore (given with what Google has been doing lately). But I think I have downloaded enough of his videos.
Now, I am trying to avoid Google as much as I can (as if the deGoogled phone/tablet, using alternative maps and ProtonMail isn’t enough).
So I am wondering if there are any recommendations anyone could suggest to me that exist on Odysee or Peertube. Maybe something similar to James’ stuff?
I have been trying to find different content creators over the past few days to watch instead on Odysee and Peetube regarding gaming. Now I have content to watch involving tech and about the gaming ‘situation’. But I’d like some content creators who do digital art that I could view.
That’s also another problem. Google is activity blocking Invidious instances (which makes it tedious). And I don’t know how long before Google makes it near impossible to even download videos in the future. Or, if Google injects ads right into the video clip. So downloading them won’t bypass the ad problem.
Anyway, it’s time to say goodbye to YouTube when it comes to my content consumption. So, I want to be completely non-reliant on anything that Google owns and nip all of Google’s shenanigans in a bud; by no longer using anything owned by them.
Yeah last time I tried Invidious it was nearly unusable, you can start watching one, maybe two videos until the instance gets (temporarily?) blocked and you need to look for another one that isn’t blocked right now…
Unfortunately I don’t really know much stuff on Peertube, let alone Odysee. Even Krita’s Peertube channel is often not up-to-date:
David Revoy has all his stuff on Peertube, but he doesn’t do videos on a regular basis, and they’re usually focused on Pepper&Carrot style:
There should be a petition to get more digital artists on those platforms. Because YouTube (and the rest of Google) needs to burn in a fire. Like, seriously. This is why I am trying to get away from YouTube by looking for alternative content creators. Besides, time to give other content creators a chance now.
Anyway, thanks. I’ll look into those. But I hope more people talk about how awful Google has made YouTube and sync their videos over to Odysee or Peertube.
If an artist (or anyone else) publishes links to YouTube on their pages, all I have to do is copy the links and yt-dlp-gui automatically downloads them for me. And so far I’ve found most of the “alternatives” to Google to be far worse, overloaded with advertising and dirt that I don’t want to see, for Google I have options to switch all this off, for the niche platforms nobody is (yet) programming such solutions.
I’m sorry. But that’s not the case with Odysee and Peertube. They are ad free. I could even view the content (ad free) without using an ad blocker.
Also, how long before Google starts blocking things like yt-dlp? I mean, they are already blocking Invidious instances. Or what’s to say Google injects ads right into the same video clip that you download? Then you would have no way to avoid ads when it comes to their platform.
This is why I want to be completely be non reliant on anything that Google owns.
Been talking to some Youtubers over email. I think I got one content creator to sync to Odysee.
Nothing gets accomplished if no one asks. It’s also good information for those content creators as well. And I consider it insurance for those content creators since Google’s AI is known to systematically remove videos by falsely marking them as ‘not following the guidelines.’ At least their videos won’t be removed from Odysee over something silly.
I encourage people to make an attempt to content their favorite content creators to see if they will sync their content over to things like Odysee.
Just wondering: is Vimeo a video uploading/downstreaming service you’d feel comfortable with?
I know that YouTube video links will play as embedded on the forum and I think that Vimeo links will as well. I don’t know about any others.
Edit:Add: I’ve just joined Vimeo (a free account) and uploaded a video; it was easy.
My video plays on the forum with a small ‘Vimeo’ watermark at the lower right.
(I won’t link it here because it’s just a simple short test.)
Anything that isn’t Google and that isn’t as horrible as them I am fine with. And if they have RSS feeds, the better (this is why I also like Odysee and Peertube in particular). I don’t have to do some hacky workaround to get an RSS feed like with Google’s YouTube.
By the way, I found another note worthy art tutorial channel. And this one (Zelle Art) seems right up my alley in terms of anime nature background tutorials.
Sorry if a bit off topic, but what’s wrong with YouTube? Is it about the ads or something else? I know that they are cracking down on ad blockers, but the ads and sponsorships provide some revenue to the creators of these videos. Not sure if the share they get is fair, but they do earn something.
I do use yt-dlp, mainly because the videos may get deleted in the future, but I try to watch as much as I can online, to provide creators with views.
Interesting that you should ask that since you just pointed out some reasons I don’t want to use YouTube anymore.
Speaking of ads, I don’t agree with aggressive ad pushing when I am wanting to view content that I find useful. Sponsors are enough. But ads that overlap what you are viewing is not cool to me. Having it forced is worse.
And with Google ensuring that you can’t use ad blockers like Ublock on Chrome (with them obsoleting manifest V2 for those extensions to even work), well, it proves that Google just wants to control what you view all over the Internet. And not to mention, how you view it. That extends even beyond the scope of YouTube itself (this is why I use LIbreWolf instead for my web browser). For me, it’s about maintaining control over what I want to see, and not have it forced upon me. I want to be the sole driver of my own tech; and not having a big tech company dictate what I do with my tech (also why I use Linux on every custom computer that I built; along with some laptops). That also includes how I use my tech online.
My next concern is also how long before Google makes it near impossible to download videos for viewing offline? I mean, they have been targeting Invidious instances a lot to ensure you have no control. What will they target next? Yt-dlp? Think about. They are constantly saying that you have no right to have control over what you view.
Finally, the sanitation of the YouTube is not something I found enjoyable. I mean, you can’t even have an opinion on there with comments; even YouTubers have to be careful what they say or do (literally walking on eggshells) to avoid having their videos or channel marked for deletion by Google’s silly AI.
This is why content creators need to spread out beyond that of YouTube. If anything, for some insurance of having their videos (or their entire channel; ask Nick from The Linux Experiment) not removed by being falsely taken down for no reason by Google.
I am sure, other people (even content creators have these concerns). If they didn’t, you wouldn’t find any people who make content on YouTube who also put their videos on Odysee or Peertube as well.
Also, I like RSS feeds. With YouTube, you have to do some hacky workaround to make it work. The reason Google doesn’t offer RSS feeds is because they want to keep the masses scrolling with their crafty algorithms (and YouTube’s algorithm is horrible); just like all those big social media corporations like Meta. Because the more you scroll, the more you give them data. The more data get can sell to advertising brokers. Another form of control.
Which is why I block all mainstream social media platforms with my PiHole server (along with other big tech, ads, and trackers). That affects my entire home network. On top of that, I host my own search engine with filter set to also block the same nonsense from my search results.
Again, I don’t want the tech controlling me and pushing stuff I didn’t ask for. I want to control it. Mainly so it doesn’t waste my time. Because I have to say much of what is being done to tech is to waste people’s time to keep making profits by exploiting the user. It’s not efficient for anyone but the big tech corporations.
Finally, the real reason I want avoid YouTube now, is because it’s another Google product. And I have deGoogle everything so far (from search engines, to maps, to email); yes, even my phone and tablet with custom Androids ROMS. But, when the time comes, I am going on all Linux with phones and tablets in the future. Because with big tech steadily taking control away from the consumer as time goes on, that is a kind of dystopia to be greatly feared.
Now, I hope you can understand what is wrong with YouTube.
Here’s some videos that may enlighten you. Courtesy of Odysee:
Ain’t RSS feeds wonderful and get straight to the point? I rarely have to open a web browser anymore; because I am not forced to waste time. It’s as simple as this; take control to use your tech as you see fit. Or don’t take control and let the tech run your life instead.
To me the ads are the weakest argument. Maintaining YouTube costs massive amount of money, so they need to earn the upkeep somewhere. And I want some of that ad revenue go towards the creators who upload videos. To me the line with advertising is when the ads target you to give you a worse deal.
Full disclosure, I pay YT premium, so ads don’t bother me at all, and in-video sponsored stuff that is added by creators helps the creators, so that’s fine as well.
However, everything else you brought up definitely resonates with me and is a concern. Especially, how as a creator your career can end in an instant if YT decides to ban you. That is wild and there must be more transparency there. This kind of ties with being able to download the videos, e.g. if they get taken down. Censorship annoys me as well, yeah.
From users POV, YT app/webpage is very limited, and I’m sure this is a deliberate choice. Like for example, I cannot organize my subscriptions in any way, can’t see the dislikes, stuff like that. I know there are plugins to get some of these features back, but that’s always a security risk.
It would be good if there was a real competition to YT, as that can only benefit the creators/users, but that’s a tall order. Just like Steam is the king of PC gaming, so does YT rules videos.
Don’t you worry about Google. They have tons of money to keep the servers maintained. Google is just greedy; like any other big tech corporation. Again, exploitation of the user. And I sure as hell won’t pay subscription for anything that is a streaming service now. Other than my utilities and for my Proton Mail account.
Besides, paying for premium for any streaming service guarantees nothing. Just look at Amazon Prime. Originally paying for ad free content. Amazon, "Sorry, we are putting ads in this now. If you ‘want’ ad free again, you have to pay for this more expensive plan. "
Even Ubisoft has been saying that people should feel comfortable not owning their games. Think I know why they are starting to go under; woke games aside.
Stuff like this is why people sail out to the high seas.
I mean, even smart TVs now have freaking ads being pushed in the TVs themselves! Meanwhile, you bought the device! You own it! But do you own it? No. It owns you and spies on you for those corporations to find out what ads you’d be ‘willing’ to view. This is why I will never buy a smart TV. All basic monitors here.
The more people just give in and accept what big tech is doing, the more we as the small people will lose in the future. As the saying goes, “You will own nothing and you will be happy.”
Anyway, I am glad you see some reason to what I have mentioned thus far.
I don’t mean to argue, but I think the key point here is that this is about another middle tier premium sub, where you get “less ads” for half the price.
Not saying it’s a good deal, nor that Google won’t make the service even worse later on
For me currently, yes, the full premium sub is still worth it, because I’m not getting any ads and it meets my expectations. If they rise the price to an uncomfortable level, or do something else that annoys me, I’ll consider cancelling the plan.
