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COMMENTS ON YOUTUBE - viewing What does the bell do?
How do conversations work? Private messages
Google+ page Google+ is an interesting development that
doesn't REALLY change the comments system on youtube too much if you don't want it to,
but does improve it greatly if you choose to use the new features. Choose 'Newest first'
from this drop-down list and it will return to the old style.
Top Comments, on the other hand, uses some weird Google algorithm to put the comments
it thinks you'll care about most at the top. This is noticeable when you're viewing a million
view video and you happen to notice your friend's comments at the top. Coincidence? I think
not. Now to move on to the bell here. This shows
all notifications to your account; from when people up vote your comments, to when they
reply on a certain video, to when they privately message you. Fortunately it says what it is
here in the middle of the notification. Normally this gives you enough information to respond
to it straight away. Before the update it was a nightmare to try
and keep track of Mum-slinging arguments that would rage on videos with religious topics,
but thankfully now it's far easier. Instead of letting the conversation get lost amongst
the hundreds of new comments, it now creates a facebook-style conversation containing the
argument thus far. Anything posted here is still available to
be seen over on the video's page, but I find this new format makes it easier to keep track,
so that the debate can reach a definitive conclusion. If you don't like this system
you can always visit the video page and try and find the debate down the list somewhere.
Private messages are the same as conversations on youtube videos. They appear in a facebook
style comment box like this, only it will say 'shared privately', meaning that only
you and the recipient can view them. And that brings us to the Google+ page. It's
a page you don't ever have to see, but it's great as an archive of old comments and conversations
you've had. To view it, click on your icon on youtube here, choose Google+. Go over to
Home and choose profile. You can now see everything you've posted ever. If you want to see what
other people can see, view profile as public up here.
In conclusion, the new system has received a lot of hate. People post long comments and
misleading links, but it's something that Google will no doubt crack down on. The new
features can be used for GOOD, and I hope that they stay because it will make my life
easier. The previous comments and inbox system youtube had was heavily flawed and this new
one gets rid of most of the problems with a radical new approach.
I don't like being forced to use Google+ but I can't deny that it has made youtube a more
sociable and enjoyable place to comment and to talk to people on- I have been personally
thanking everybody who has supported my channel for several months now and have made some
new friends from doing it. Well done, Google.