Latest Engineering Talk Posts at VideoSift.com

Japanese Corpse Eating Robot

Ryjkyj (http://engineering.videosift.com/member/Ryjkyj) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:53:41 -0700

(2 comments - 187 views)
How did your Neat-o-Rama links not pick this up!?!

From the page linked below:
This machine, "Robokiyu the Rescue Robot," was originally designed to help remove rubble and trapped people from disaster zones. Until, that is, it was realized that the thing might be better suited to removing (and swallowing) those unfortunate people who had already died. So now if you get stuck in an earthquake in Japan, consider that not only may you die, but you may spend your last few minutes being eaten by this thing.

http://www.asylum.com/2008/07/30/weirdest-robots-ever-corpse-eater-bot/

- Ryjkyj

Der Maschinengewehr 34: Ever Wonder How it works?

NordlichReiter (http://engineering.videosift.com/member/NordlichReiter) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:17:47 -0700

(2 comments - 127 views)
This will tell you all you need to know!

The Chain Links on the ammo are very sturdy allowing them to be reused.

The trigger has two actions, single action and full auto, the single action was used to simulate a single rifle. This tactic was used to draw the enemy into the field of fire, while the thought it was just one rifleman.

Hope you enjoy, Ill keep my heavyweapon videos on youtube.

This guy like the M60 has a distinctive sound. The MG 34 makes a spraying sound and upon letting up of the trigger it makes a shhhhhuck metallic clacking noise.

The M60 makes that same sort of noise, but its initial fireing sound is a deep shooooook. Firing it prolonged it sounds much like a chinook starting its rotation.

- NordlichReiter

Gold Mine of Undiscovered Siftable Material Just Uncovered

lucky760 (http://lucky760.videosift.com) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:26:22 -0700

(4 comments - 195 views)
Just thought I'd share a site I just found out about (its admin is a lurker here) because it has a wealth of fascinating techie videos that have surprisingly not seen the light of Sift. (I just posted three of them. Make that four. [I'd continue, but my queue's full. ])

It's a blog called HighT3ch.com. I didn't want to tell anyone because there's so much great content to scavenge on, but there's just too much for one man.

(I get so frustrated when I have so many choices of great stuff but there are just so many options I don't know where to begin. Sort of like eating at a buffet.)

- lucky760

A "Last Chance" Screen for New Member Posting 1st Video

Zonbie (http://zonbie.videosift.com) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:59:32 -0700

(13 comments - 674 views)
Hi,
I know some people join videosift and don't care for the self linking rule (and get banned) but to help people new here who may not realise they are breaking a rule can we have an "are you sure" screen once they submit their first video?

What I mean is once they hit "submit" on their first post I window posts up asking them to "check" the box stating

________________________________________________________________________

[ ] This is not your own video or associated with you. (a selflink) ( guidelines)
[ ] This video is not porn or snuff
[ ] This video does not break any of the videosift rules.

Submit! Cancel
________________________________________________________________________

This message only appears on a members first video submission. After that, its business as usual.

Any thoughts?
I know some people don't care for rules, but it would be nice to ensure people who get banned are actively breaking the rules and not by mistake.

I improved the example ´- the wording does need to be clear I will leave that up to Dag and Co

- Zonbie

The Top 10 Rube Goldberg Machines Featured On Film

ant (http://engineering.videosift.com/member/ant) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 04:55:43 -0700

(3 comments - 357 views)
http://gizmodo.com/5015735/the-top-10-rube-goldberg-machines-featured-on-film from http://www.neatorama.com/2008/06/12/rube-goldberg-machines-in-film/ ...

- ant

Appeal for More Downvotes on the 'Sift (I must be crazy...)

doogle (http://engineering.videosift.com/member/doogle) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:55:52 -0700

(27 comments - 299 views)
I want to advocate for people who don't, to use their discretionary downvote powers.
I hope they know that it's okay to downvote if you do not support a video.
It's okay.

Reasoning:
I just believe there are too many out there who hardly ever downvote, and way too many who indiscriminately upvote (without a peep from any who have no problem).

There's a plethora of videos coming through the Unsifted Queueue - upvotes are abound galore - however - downvotes would increase the quality of the sifting (or decrease the trashiness) of the videos by counterbalancing dismissive upvotes, and in some cases can send some back to the unsifted for further review (gets back under 10 votes). I wonder aloud how few videos have been auto-discarded for receiving -3 votes, when I'm sure many would point out there are many deserving ones out there.

I know many on the sift are very sensitive to downvotes - and there's already quite a bit of discussion on it already. But perhaps if downvotes were more common, sifters wouldn't be so sensitive (as long as downvotes continue to follow the intended purpose).

Implore section:
Go ahead - try it - on that video that

wasted your time, or
you think wouldn't interest a soul out there, or
you feel you were misled by the title/description, or
has poor quality, or
fits with your consistent downvote criteria

just as long as it is not personal.

Caveat: Just be wise about it - as everyone should be about upvoting as well.

Tip! Leave a simple comment as to why you downvoted it, is a good idea - it's just a good practice to follow.

I suppose some are going to downvote my videos now for imploring this just for the twisted irony...I see the risk...I implore you not to and reserve the right to seek painful siftquisition against indiscriminate siftvotes against me.

What say you?

- doogle

Feature Request: "Long" videos as a channel?

doogle (http://engineering.videosift.com/member/doogle) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 22:52:08 -0700

(9 comments - 302 views)
I think it would be nice to keep Long videos separate than the others - they're harder to sift, and exist among 20second and 2 minute videos.

I'm sure like others here, I like to sit down and choose a 10min+ video to really get into. Maybe to fall asleep to, to watch while washing the dishes or with the morning coffee.

Instead I'm clicking away and switching and buffering videos here and there or going through my playlists of saved Long videos not quite finding something recent...

- doogle

A motivational poster for Oxdottir

MarineGunrock (http://gunrock.videosift.com) — Thu, 15 May 2008 04:36:34 -0700

(0 comments - 218 views)
http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/posters/7c3a/?cpg=ab

You better be wearing that Lady Speedstick.

- MarineGunrock

The "Are You Sure" Dialog For Downvoting Has Disappeared!

Zonbie (http://zonbie.videosift.com) — Mon, 12 May 2008 11:28:16 -0700

(8 comments - 224 views)
Ok,
Um, today I accidentally downvoted a video, videosift normally warns you you are about to downvote

http://www.videosift.com/video/Beef-and-Go

also

http://www.videosift.com/video/Star-Wars-Clone-Wars-animated-series-trailer

arse. So - I want to know - is this a change to gold star, a change in general, or a videosift "special feature" (or f**k up as it's sometimes known)

It does say "Be careful downvotig as you cannot change your mind" but at least if you accidentally upvote its not as bad as down voting...

Personally I want this back, or at least a profile option "Ask before Downvote" for example. Actually that would be cool

What does every one else thing?

Thanks
Ste

- Zonbie

Suggestion: Filter setting for Region-blocking videos?

doogle (http://engineering.videosift.com/member/doogle) — Sun, 11 May 2008 18:22:24 -0700

(15 comments - 240 views)
Perhaps there should be a setting for videos, like NSFW that applies to region-blocked videos.

I suggest:
-Users & uploaders can invoke whether a video is region-blocking (*region)
-The video will show up as unavailable to the user (greyed out?)

I don't know how often I've loaded a video only to think my computer is screwed up or sit through a few commercials to find out it's blocking the content. I'd definitely love to filter these duds out from my list, and would be willing to *tag/categorise them as *region blocking to save others the waste of time.

- doogle