YouTube can be quite helpful!

feywon

feywon

Well-known Member
Location
Rural North Central NM
My Engine light came on steadily. The car has individual lights for several things including overheating. But this light has 5 poddible causes, some simple and cheap to fix some more expensive. Turned out the first thing on the list-improperly seated gas cap fixed it. But I decided to do one of the other simple things prophylacticly-change air filter.

Found video that showed step by step, barely 10 minute job. The only thing that was off was the image was flipped so i expected to find it in driver's side. I've changed many a tire in my day,and all sorts of filters on older model cars, even a thermostat once. But these new engines are so so crowded. Ugh!
 

I watch a lot of YouTube videos. Unlike traditional TV, I can fast forward, backward, skip, search anything. I don't like sitting and watching a long program, so YouTube videos are about the right length for me. In fact, I pay subscription to YouTube just to avoid their commercials. Their subscription is much cheaper than any cable TV.
 

OldOld said:
I watch a lot of YouTube videos. Unlike traditional TV, I can fast forward, backward, skip, search anything. I don't like sitting and watching a long program, so YouTube videos are about the right length for me. In fact, I pay subscription to YouTube just to avoid their commercials. Their subscription is much cheaper than any cable TV.
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How anyone can watch Youtube with commercials is beyond me.

I use a free ad-blocker on Youtube. Since there have been some underlying changes to browsers, you really need to be using Firefox to have the best results. Not a problem for me, since I've used the browser for years. Unsurprisingly, Googles browser - Chrome - has implemented changes to make ad-blocking much more difficult.

As to the content on Youtube - there is a ton of great stuff there. I found a video of a live performance of a song last night that I had no idea existed (by David Byrne). Incredible stuff.
 
Absolutely Feywon! My son consults "YouTube University", probably daily to watch digital music engineering and production videos. He's fantastic at what he does, but wants to continue to hone his craft. He also learned how to fix some things around the house by watching YT. I learned important information about cats after our kitten adopted us by watching Jackson Galaxy ("Cat Daddy") videos. More recently I found out how to do some stuff in Windows 11, which I'm still familiarizing myself with after being a Mac user for so many years.

Both my son and I will be watching videos about our new Studio One music production program, which we intend to get soon. I'm glad you found videos that not only taught you what to do, but ultimately saved you some money.
 
VaughanJB said:
How anyone can watch Youtube with commercials is beyond me.

I use a free ad-blocker on Youtube. Since there have been some underlying changes to browsers, you really need to be using Firefox to have the best results. Not a problem for me, since I've used the browser for years. Unsurprisingly, Googles browser - Chrome - has implemented changes to make ad-blocking much more difficult.

As to the content on Youtube - there is a ton of great stuff there. I found a video of a live performance of a song last night that I had no idea existed (by David Byrne). Incredible stuff.
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Does adblocker skip the ad, or just pause the screen and wait out the ad until it's done?
 
OldOld said:
Does adblocker skip the ad, or just pause the screen and wait out the ad until it's done?
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To put it simply, ad blocking prevents ads from loading on any websites you visit. Any type of ad, anywhere. It might seem like magic to some, but there is more to ad blockers than that. Almost like a secret agent job, ad blocking involves filter lists, intercepting server communication, and more.


And as ads permeate every surface of our online environment and become a ubiquitous part of the internet ecosystem, more and more people turn to premium ad blockers – to get rid of intrusive, overwhelming, and sometimes even malicious ads.

https://cybernews.com/best-ad-blockers/how-ad-blocking-works/
 
Youtube has saved me many many times. I learned to repair my stucco on youtube. I had lots of stucco damage…one hole being down to the studs and about 3 by 5 feet. Some guy named Kirk has a zillion videos. I am now moved on to electrical…and cars…
 
I used youtube in my bedbug battle at my apartment building years ago. Management was trying, but nothing was working. Most of the city was infested then.

I found 'Diatomaceous Earth' powder for a few dollars on youtube and tips on how to apply it and it worked. Even my apartment manager bought it while other neighbors on the street were using expensive professional services.
 
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I can buy a service manual but it is nothing like watching someone do the actual repair. Some of things I have done after watching:

replaced the oven ignition in my range
rebuilt the carburetor/replace petcock/clean gas tank on my dirtbike
replace tub bearings and shocks on a front loading washer
change the flush cartridge on pressure assist toilet
multiple computer repairs including soldering techniques

and on and on…
 
Different people learn best in different ways. Like you, if it is a question of repairs i learn best by watching another person do it.
My Dad was excellent at teaching this way, explaining what he doing and why. The most important thing he taught us was to think.

These days owners manuals, especially for cars are not as helpful as they once were, largely because they want people running to the dealership for even simple things.
 
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Sciguy said:
Very helpful for repairs of all sorts. I’ve fixed vehicles, lawn mowers, appliances, etc. Also a lot of silly stuff, but nothing wrong with that if you’re in the mood.
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You screen name reminded me, I watch a lot of things on the SciShow channel on YT. There are a lot of channels that purport to be science ones, but they usually have hyperbolic titles and not the most accurate info, tho the astrophysics ones often have lovely images.
 
Two times I had my car oil changed and the engine air filter was not properly closed. I could not see how it was supposed to be done to close securely, but YouTube showed me how to do it. Now I check it after every oil change to make sure they closed it correctly.
 
Muskrat said:
Youtube has saved me many many times. I learned to repair my stucco on youtube. I had lots of stucco damage…one hole being down to the studs and about 3 by 5 feet. Some guy named Kirk has a zillion videos. I am now moved on to electrical…and cars…
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Oh, i think Kirk may the guy who's YT reviews helped me pick a new portable air compressor.
 
OldOld said:
Does adblocker skip the ad, or just pause the screen and wait out the ad until it's done?
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It skips it seamlessly. Better yet, there's an add-on (all free) where they also skip inserted segments where the video maker tries to sell you something.

I'm not sure how the Youtube subscription works, but I guess it does the same thing. Either way, if you don't want or can't use ad-blockers, then paying to get rid of ads seems like a smart choice. As I say, if I had to watch ads I'd stop using the site.
 
VaughanJB said:
It skips it seamlessly. Better yet, there's an add-on (all free) where they also skip inserted segments where the video maker tries to sell you something.

I'm not sure how the Youtube subscription works, but I guess it does the same thing. Either way, if you don't want or can't use ad-blockers, then paying to get rid of ads seems like a smart choice. As I say, if I had to watch ads I'd stop using the site.
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Does adblocker work on smart TV YouTube too?
 
OldOld said:
Does adblocker work on smart TV YouTube too?
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I doubt it. Ad-blockers are a function of the web browser itself, rather then being Youtube specific. Whereas SmartTV uses a Youtube app, and therefore no browser, as such. Also, Smart TV's run with an underlying Operating System, such as Android. So any blocker would have to be Android specific. There are ways of doing it, but for most people messing with DNS settings etc. is far too difficult to understand or bother dealing with, which is understandable.

Keep in mind, I don't own a Smart TV, and have no tried it myself.
 
I agree. I watch it daily. More for the informational videos. There is one user channel called List 25, he gives lists of fun or informational facts that are often very interesting. I like a guy who's channel is Freakin' Reviews. He reviews many items from places like Amazon, Temu and such. He accepts NO sponsors so he is not compensated. If it is a great product, he says so, If not, he is honest. Sometimes he will revisit items after a year or do, to let us know if he is still using it, and how it has held up. I like his honesty.
Good how to vids as well
 
Marie5656 said:
I agree. I watch it daily. More for the informational videos. There is one user channel called List 25, he gives lists of fun or informational facts that are often very interesting. I like a guy who's channel is Freakin' Reviews. He reviews many items from places like Amazon, Temu and such. He accepts NO sponsors so he is not compensated. If it is a great product, he says so, If not, he is honest. Sometimes he will revisit items after a year or do, to let us know if he is still using it, and how it has held up. I like his honesty.
Good how to vids as well
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It should be known, I watch a whole lot of nonsense. :D
 

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