YouTubes Test Tube: What Is It?
Feb 28, 2009 Internet
Are you an active member of the YouTube community? If you enjoy uploading and sharing your videos with others you may be. Even if you prefer to only watch videos online, not share your own, you may still be an active member of the YouTube community. If you regularly find yourself visiting the YouTube website, whether it is to upload your own movies or watch movies that others have posted, you may have heard of a program that is known as TestTube. TestTube is an idea that was generated by YouTube, although it is still in the testing period, you may find YouTubes TestTube to be quite exciting, unique, yet useful.
As you can likely tell from the name and as it was mentioned above, TestTube is a program that was and is still being generated by YouTube. TestTube is where YouTube is currently testing a wide variety of different things; things that will likely improve the way that you watch or share videos on YouTube. When you think about it, YouTube is absolutely amazing. They are one of the largest online video sharing websites, as well as the most popular, yet they are still taking a number of steps to make the online video sharing experience even better.
Although the TestTube program isnt necessarily referred to as a beta program, it can be considered one, as everything that is tested is still in the experimental phases. As it was stated above, many of things being worked on in YouTubes TestTube are improvements to make watching and sharing videos online easier. To know if these ideas or improvements are actually working, they need other internet users to help test them out. This is where you could come in. If you were interested, you could request to join the YouTube TestTube program. You will not only find doing so fun and exciting, but you may also get a firsthand look at many of the changes or improvements that the folks at YouTube are trying to make.
Although the improvements or ideas being worked on in YouTubes TestTube are likely to vary, you will find that many improvements or ideas are centered on watching videos. For instance, YouTube is currently working on an idea that allows you and other internet users, who are watching the same YouTube videos, to talk to each other, almost like a live, real-time chat. This is a little bit different then sending personal messages or leaving comments on a YouTube video page. Another unique idea currently being examined in YouTubes TestTube, is the ability to add music to a video, as a watcher. In YouTubes TestTube, you have the ability to swap out audio from a YouTube video from a long list of licensed songs that YouTube has permission to use.
The decision as to whether or not you want to visit the TestTube section of YouTube is yours to make, but it is definitely something worth looking into. You get to try out all of YouTubes current ideas or improvements for free. You are also encouraged to offer your suggestions as to whether or not you like them. This, in turn, could help to make your YouTube experience even that more memorable. If you are interested in taking part in YouTubes TestTube program, you can find more information about the program, by visiting the YouTube webpage. In small print, at the bottom of each YouTube page, you will find a link with more information on TestTube.
YouTube and Its Competition Reviewed
Feb 28, 2009 Internet
Do you enjoy watching videos online or even uploading and sharing your own videos with other internet users? If you do, you will need to be on the lookout for websites that are known as video sharing websites. These types of websites are ones that allow internet users to watch videos they have stored on their websites and they often allow internet users, just like you, to share their own videos. When it comes to finding a video sharing website to use, you will see that you have a number of different options.
One of the most popular and most well-known video sharing websites is that of YouTube. It is not uncommon for YouTube to be discussed at your school, work, or even on your local news! Yes, that is how popular YouTube is. If you are interested in viewing online videos, you will find that YouTube is your best chance for finding what you want, as they have an immeasurable number of videos hosted on their online website. Also, if you register for a free YouTube account, you should be able to rate the videos that you watch, leave comments on the video page, or even talk about the video with other YouTube members.
If you are interested in uploading your own videos to the internet, you may also find the most success when using YouTube. One of the reasons for that is the number of individuals who visit the site each day; it is a lot. No matter what type of video you upload onto YouTube, your video is likely to get hundreds or even thousands of views. The exposure is one of the reasons why so many video submitters turn to YouTube. It is also important to mention ease of use, as uploading and sharing videos on YouTube is easy. All YouTube members are able to upload their videos by following detailed, step-by-step instructions.
Although YouTube is a great video sharing website to watch movie at or upload your own videos, you may be wondering about your other options. One of those other options is Grouper. Grouper is a video sharing website that allows internet users to both watch and share videos that they may have made themselves. What is nice about Grouper is that they have a large collection of viewable videos and their upload process is also easy and self-explanatory. The only downside to using Grouper, particularly to share your own videos is that it isnt as well known as YouTube. However, with that in mind, Grouper is an online video website that is continuing to increase in popularity.
Another popular video sharing website is that of Google Video. Google Video is ideal for those looking to share their own videos, as well as those looking to watch a large collection of videos. From a viewer standpoint, Google Video has a large collection of videos currently available. In fact, they also have popular music videos or television shows available. The only downside is that many of these music videos and television shows are not free; however, only a small one-time fee is required to view them. As with YouTube and Grouper, you can also upload your own videos to Google, once you become a member of Google.
When it comes to deciding which video sharing websites you would like to use, the decision is yours to make; however, you may want to consider examining all three. No matter which video hosting website you choose, you will likely be pleased with your decision, as all three come highly rated and recommend.
Why You Should Rate YouTube Videos You Watch
Feb 28, 2009 Internet
Do you regularly find yourself visiting the YouTube website to watch fun, exciting, and vividly entertaining videos? If not, you will want to do so, as you will likely find yourself enjoying everything that YouTube has to offer. If you are already a YouTube visitor, do you currently rate the YouTube videos that you watch or leave comments to the video submitter? If not, you will want to think about doing so, as there are a number of reasons as to why you should, as well as benefits to doing so.
Perhaps, the greatest reason as to why you should rate a YouTube video that you watched or even leave comments to the YouTube member that uploaded it is because it gives the YouTube member in question something to feel good about. YouTube gives any internet user, someone just like you, the ability to make, upload, and share their videos. There are some YouTube members who put a lot of thought, time, and hard work into making each and every one of their videos. Hearing that someone liked their video, whether it be through positive comments or feedback ratings, is likely to make them feel good about themselves. In a way, you could think of leaving YouTube comments or giving YouTube video ratings as doing your good deed for the day.
Another one of the many reasons as to why you should rate all YouTube videos that you watch or even leave comments is because it lets other YouTube members know what you like. When it comes to making a YouTube video, there are many YouTube members who spend hours searching for videos that are highly rated or ones that are constantly being talked about. They want to make a video that they know will be looked at or talked about, as it ups their exposure. Therefore, rating YouTube videos can actually benefit you. The more you rate your favorite YouTube videos or discuss them, the more likely you will be to find similar natured videos appear in the future, giving you a never ending source of entertainment.
To rate YouTube videos or to discuss them, you must be a member of the YouTube community. This involves registering for a YouTube account. The good news about doing so is that it is relatively easy to do, not to mention free. All you need to do is enter in a little bit of personal information about yourself, like your name, location, birth date, and gender and create login information for yourself. Once you do so you can start rating YouTube videos or discuss them with other YouTube members.
If you would like to rate any YouTube videos that you watch, whether you like them or not, you will need to register with YouTube, as stated above. You do not need to register with YouTube to watch videos on the site, but you must have an account if you would like to rate movies that you watched or discuss them. As previously mentioned, there are a number of reasons as to why you should do so, as well as a number of benefits to doing so. That is why you will want to take a few minutes to register for a free YouTube account. In addition to being able to rate or discuss videos, you will also find yourself gaining access to a number of other neat YouTube features.
Why You Should Join the YouTube Community
Feb 28, 2009 Internet
Do you enjoy visiting YouTube? Whether you are interested in watching fun and entertaining movies for free or if you like making your own movies to share with other internet users, YouTube is the place for you. What is nice about YouTube is they are not only a video sharing website. With an online community section, YouTube, in a way, can also be considered a social networking site.
When it comes to visiting the YouTube community section, there are a large number of YouTube site visitors who wonder why they should do so. If you are one of those individuals, this is quite a normal feeling. As internet security has become a major concern, there are many individuals who are nervous about interacting with others on the internet. When using YouTube, namely the community section, you are advised to display caution, but you should be more than safe; in fact, you will likely have a good time.
The YouTube community works by making a few groups. For instance, one of the many groups found on YouTube is funny videos. If you have a funny video, you can request to have it displayed in the funny video group. If you are just a viewer, you may also be able to request to have some of your favorite videos in a certain YouTube community group, whether it is the funny video group or not. Not only will joining the YouTube community give you easy access to a number of videos that you are sure to like, it also gives you the opportunity to start discussions with other YouTube members, namely those who are participating in or enjoy visiting the same group.
If you are interested in joining a YouTube community group, you will need to click on the Community, tab, which can be found at the top of the YouTube webpage. There, you will be able to choose from a long list of YouTube community groups. As it was previously mentioned, funny videos is one of those groups. Under all of the videos that have been added to the group, you will see a discussions section. In a way, this section is like an online message board. There, you can post your own messages or you can respond to other messages left by other YouTube community group members. Joining a YouTube community group is nice because it automatically pairs you up with other internet users who enjoy the same interests, at least entertainment wise, as you.
In addition to joining the YouTube community groups, if you are also interested in interacting with other YouTube members, you may want to think about visiting the TestTube section of YouTube. You can access TestTube by clicking the TestTube, link, which is in small print at the bottom of each YouTube page. Right now, YouTube is working on a program, which you can try out, that lets internet users who are viewing the same videos discuss that video. In a way, this acts as if it is an online message board, but also an online chat room. While this feature is still in the experimental stages, it is sure to quickly become a YouTube hit.
As outlined above, YouTube isnt just about watching and sharing videos. You can also join in on discussions that are currently taking place on the site. If you arent already doing so, you may want to look into it, as it only adds to the fun and excitement of YouTube.
Software Savings: Microsoft Office on the cheap
Feb 28, 2009 Technology
If you use Microsoft Office—Word for word-processing, Excel for spreadsheets, Powerpoint for presentations—you'll likely be faced with the need to purchase a new copy of the suite if you get a new Windows computer. Don't even think about using an Office version earlier than 2003 with a Vista-based computer; it's incompatible. And if you decide to install your existing copy of 2003 on a new PC, be aware that you'll lose Microsoft’s mainstream support as soon as April.
The "Standard" edition of Office 2007 isn't cheap: From online retailers, it runs about $325 for new users, or about $200 if you own an earlier version (with a separate install CD, not simply pre-installed on a PC you bought).
But you can get a version of Office 2007 more cheaply, provided you can do without some of its business-oriented components, such as Outlook or Access (not to be confused with Outlook Express, which is part of Windows XP, and has been replaced by Windows Mail in Vista).
Microsoft offers Office 2007 Home and Student edition, which lists for $150, but I found online for as little as $80. (It includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote.) You're allowed to install it on three PCs per household, including laptops that might be taken to school, so long as the student hasn't moved out of the household. And, unlike previous "student" versions of Office, it has no requirement that there be a student in the household.
There's no upgrade version of Home and Student that costs less than this full version, but buying the full version does qualify you to upgrade to a more-advanced Office version if you later find the need.
If you do have a college student, and don't need to install Office on multiple computers at home, you can get Office 2007 even more cheaply. Microsoft's own site offers Office 2007 Ultimate to bona fide students for just $60. Compare that with the $300 to $600 online retailers charger for Ultimate 2007.
Does the student in your household qualify for this bargain-basement price? Here's what Microsoft’s site says:
You must have a valid e-mail address at an educational institution ending with the domain suffix .EDU (ie, leina@contoso.edu) OR have a valid email address at one of the educational institutions listed.
You must be a student at a U.S. educational institution and must be actively enrolled in at least 0.5 course credit and be able to provide proof of enrollment upon request.
Of course, for the ultimate in cost-saving, nothing beats free. As in the free OpenOffice suite, which includes word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, graphics, and database applications. It's mostly compatible with Microsoft Office documents, though it doesn't have quite the same advanced feature set.
—Dean Gallea
Tags: best deals, Internet, microsoft-office, News, student
Why You Need to Refrain from Documenting Illegal Activities on
Feb 28, 2009 Internet
Why You Need to Refrain from Documenting Illegal Activities on YouTube
Do you enjoy uploading and sharing videos that you have made with others on YouTube? If so, you are definitely not alone, as YouTube is one of the most popular online video sharing websites. What is nice about YouTube is that they allow you to upload just about any type of video that you want. While you have the ability to upload just about any type of video that you want, it doesnt necessarily mean that you should.
One type of video that you will want to refrain from sharing on YouTube is a video that documents you doing something illegal. On the YouTube website, it is not uncommon to find some videos that show individuals drinking underage, doing drugs, or worse. In fact, there have been videos documented on the internet before that showed people committing more serious crimes, like robberies or vandalism. There are some people; hopefully you are not one of them, who think that documenting illegal activities is cool and that it may actually make them seem like a cooler person. The reality is that your YouTube video may get attention, but it might not be from the people you had hoped to receive attention from.
Although not everyone does so, it is advised that you thoroughly read over all of the information you are given concerning YouTube and its operation. This information can easily be found by visiting the YouTube help center. There you will see that YouTube, in some instances, works with law enforcement. What does this mean for you? This means that should you share videos documenting illegal activities, YouTube may share those videos with the authorities. In most cases, you will find that this is only done with major crimes, like crimes that involve abuse or sexual assaults, but you still never know.
In addition to the possibility of YouTube notifying law enforcement when they come across as video that outlines a heinous crime, law enforcement offers are now turning to the internet all on their own. There have been cases discussed on the news before about how YouTube and other social networking websites actually resulted in a crime being solved. Unfortunately, a good portion of the general public mistakenly believes that their police officers do not have time to search the internet, but not many are beginning to do so. That is why it is extremely important that you do not document yourself committing a crime, no matter how minor it may seem.
Aside from the possibility of being caught committing a crime by law enforcement, you also need to worry about others viewing your videos; others who may also have a say in your life. For instance, if you are still in high school and one of your school officials caught you documenting yourself drinking underage or doing drugs, did you know that you could be suspended from school or school related activities? If you are not in high school, something similar may happen if one of your employers came across a video of you documenting yourself committing a crime. Depending on the seriousness of the situation, you may only receive a warning, but you may also lose your job.
As you can see, there are a number of different consequences to documenting yourself on YouTube committing illegal activities, no matter how large or small they are. That is why it is advised that you play it safe; keep all illegal or inappropriate content off of YouTube.
What to Consider When Making a YouTube Video
Feb 28, 2009 Internet
YouTube is a popular online website, which allows internet users, just like you, to share videos or watch an unlimited number of them. While a good portion of the individuals who post videos on YouTube are just posting videos that they have laying around, there are many more who actually make videos with the sole purpose of uploading them to YouTube and sharing them with other internet users. If you are one of those individuals, there are a number of points that you will want to keep in mind.
When it comes to making a YouTube video, one of the things that you will need is a video recording device. Popular video recording devices include camcorder, webcams, as well as cell phones with video recording capabilities. If at all possible, you will want to try and use a webcam or a camcorder, as these video recording devices often produce the best quality. If you are looking to make your YouTube video be a hit, quality is something that you will want to take into consideration. Many YouTube video viewers dislike watching poor quality videos; in fact, not everyone sticks around to finish watching them.
Editing is also something that you will want to take into consideration. YouTube actually encourages you to examine your video before uploading it to their site. If you notice anything that you would like changed, you are advised to edit your video before uploading it to YouTube. Of course, you dont have to edit your video if you dont want to, but editing your video is also likely to improve the overall quality of your YouTube video. It is also relatively easy to do. Most computers come with movie editing software programs already installed. It may even be a good idea to play around with a movie editing software program and your YouTube video; you may be surprised just how fun it can be.
It is also important that you think about and examine the content of your video, especially if you are planning on doing a comedy video. Comedy videos are popular on YouTube, but you need to remember that a large number of people visit YouTube for entertainment. Many of those individuals are from different races, sexes, and religions. You will want to be cautious of offending any of your viewers, intentionally or not. Keep in mind that comedy means different things to different individuals. Of course, you have the right to make just about any type of YouTube video you want; you are advised to use your best judgment. Should you be good at making YouTube videos, you may be able to make a name for yourself on YouTube, but you will want it to be a good one.
It is also important that you examine safety when making a YouTube video. As previously mentioned, comedy videos are popular on YouTube and so are video blogs. Video blogs are where internet uses recite their blog in front of a camera, instead of in print. Video blogs are fun to do, but many video blogers, both on and off of YouTube, make the mistake of giving out too much information about themselves. For your safety, you will want to avoid giving your real name, especially if you are showing your face on your video blog. It is advised that you do not mention your real name in any of your YouTube videos, but you definitely do not want to mention your address or any of your phone numbers. Not divulging your personal information is for your own safety. You need to remember that you never really know who is watching your YouTube videos or what they are thinking.
The above mentioned points are just a few of the many that you will want to keep in mind, before making a video which will later be posted on YouTube. In short, aim for quality and keep internet safety in mind and your YouTube video could end up being a hit.
What to Consider Before Posting a Video on YouTube
Feb 28, 2009 Internet
Are you interested in making a video to have displayed on YouTube? With a large fan following, YouTube is a great place to make your own videos and get them seen. With YouTube, it is not uncommon for one video to get as many as a few thousand hits, sometimes even more. That is one of the main reasons why internet users, just like you, enjoy sharing their videos on YouTube; the exposure is nice. Of course, the decision to upload your videos to YouTube is yours to make, but there are some important factors that you may first want to take into consideration.
As it was previously mentioned, many YouTube videos end up getting thousands of hits. While having a large number of viewers is nice, you never exactly know who is viewing your videos, as well as what their intentions are. In todays society, you need to be extremely careful; different people interpret things different ways. While you may believe that you are just posting a simple online video blog, someone else may actually think that you are speaking to directly to them or think that you want to be found and contacted. This shouldnt prevent you from uploading videos to YouTube; however, it should make you practice safety. You are advised against giving out any personal information about yourself, including where you live, as well as your full name.
What is nice about YouTube is that they allow you take one of your videos down at a moments notice. For instance, if you received poor feedback from one of your videos or if you changed your mind about sharing your video with the rest of the internet community, you should be able to take your video down, but what you may not know is that the damage may have already been done. There are many internet users, particularly those who consider themselves video fanatics, who actually copy or save the videos that they find interesting or appealing. This means that even though you deleted one of your YouTube videos, it could still be in circulation, possibly even in the wrong hands. That is why it is advised that you seriously think about what you are doing before actually posting videos on YouTube.
It is also advised that you examine the content of your YouTube videos before actually uploading them to the site. While you might not necessarily be concerned with offending anyone, you should be. There are many internet users who take offense to videos or just discussions in general that bash or make fun their races, religions, or general way of life. You do not want to create a negative name for yourself or even just your YouTube name, as it may later come back to haunt you. It is also advised that you think about keeping your face out of your YouTube videos. Showing your face may make it easier for internet predators to find and contact you. Should you post a video of yourself of YouTube, you may want to examine your appearance or think about how others may interpret your video.
The above mentioned factors are just a few of the many that you will want to take into consideration, before making or uploading your videos to the YouTube website. As previously stated, the decision as to whether or not you want to share your videos on YouTube is yours to make, but if you are interested in doing so, it is advised that you display caution.
Videos You Can Find Available for Viewing on YouTube
Feb 28, 2009 Internet
Have you heard of YouTube before? Even if you have never visited YouTubess website, you likely already know a little bit about what it is, as YouTube is often talked about among friends, family members, and coworkers. You can also regularly find YouTube being discussed on local or even national news programs. Although you may have heard of you YouTube, you might not have visited it before. If you havent, you may want to think about stopping by, as you have the opportunity to view an unlimited number of free videos, many of which you may find entertaining.
Speaking of all of the free videos that you can find available for viewing online, you may be wondering what type of videos you can watch on YouTube, especially if you have never taken the time to explore the site. In all honesty, there are an unlimited number of videos that you can find available for viewing on YouTube. Just a few of the many video types that you may find online, are briefly outlined below.
One type of YouTube video that is rapidly increasing in popularity is that of the video blog. Over the past few years, the popularity of blogging skyrocketed. Blogging traditionally involves writing daily posts about your personal life or your work adventures. Recently, many video lovers have started to create video blogs. Instead of writing down their words online, they are talking into a camera and then posting the video for the entire world to see. While it may seem awkward to watch a video blog made by someone you have never met before, you may find video blogs to be quite entertaining. In fact, many video blog viewers have never meet the blogger in question and many have no intention of ever doing so; they just like watching their videos.
Another one of the most popular types of YouTube videos are those that are centered on comedy. When it comes to comedy, you will find different comedy videos available for viewing on YouTube. For instance, there are some YouTube members that create comedy skits, ones that are staged. There are also some YouTube members who happen to get candid videos. Candid videos are videos where the people in the video, often acquaintances, do no know that they are being video tapped. There are also YouTube comedy videos that are combination of staged and candid videos. These types of comedy videos often revolve around people who know that they are being video taped, but just going with the flow of things. Any way that you look at it, comedy videos are very popular on YouTube.
It is also possible to find music videos available for viewing on YouTube. For the most part, the music videos on YouTube are videos that local bands or musicians made themselves. Due to copyright issues, it is rare to find a music video from a well-known band or signer; however, YouTube is currently taking steps to change that. Even though the selection of music videos on YouTube is sort of limited to up and coming artists, you may enjoy watching many of the music videos currently available on YouTube. You can easily find a wide variety of different YouTube music videos, many of which are from different music genres.
Educational videos or how-to videos are also popular on YouTube. In most cases, you will find that educational videos include how-to videos, but there are other educational videos available. For instance, if you are looking for videos that deal with pets, you may be able to find a few educational videos outlining the importance of properly caring for your pet. A real how-to video would outline steps that you could take to properly care for your pet. Educational videos, although they cover a wide range of different subjects, have one common goal, to educate you.
As you can see, there are a large number of video types that can be found on YouTube. What is absolutely amazing is that previously mentioned video types are just a few of the many that you can find on YouTube. To get a taste of all that YouTube has to offer, you are urged to visit the YouTube website and get entertained!
WonderCon Whips Up Fan Fever
Feb 28, 2009 News
: Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com
SAN FRANCISCO — It’s all about the fans at the WonderCon comic book convention. From attendees who dress as their favorite costumed crusaders to the writers, artists and actors who bring superhero stories to life on the page and screen, the Moscone Center floor is flooded with colorful characters.
Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and other comics powerhouses are in attendance this year, trying to satisfy that fan obsession. But, just as at last summer’s Comic Con International in San Diego, Hollywood’s pull can be felt as well.
“WonderCon was chosen by Paramount as the only convention to have a Star Trek presence and we’re all very excited about that,” said David Glanzer, WonderCon director, in an e-mail interview.
A panel presentation and a sneak peek screening of Watchmen, which made a big splash at Comic-Con last year, add to the draw at WonderCon this year: Advance ticket sales are up over 2008, said Glanzer, although he declined to release specific numbers.
Wired.com’s gallery highlights the faces of costumed attendees, cult actors and exhibitors from the show floor.
Left:
Name: Ricky Lui
Age: 40
From: Salinas, California
“I’m excited about the new Transformers movie, also the way superheroes are brought to live action movies,” said Lui, who was part of the volunteer security staff working line control.
: Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com
Name: Jim Friel
Age: 62
From: Oakland, California
“I’m the old comic guy. I’ve been collecting comics for 50 years. Things have changed a great deal. Prices are higher … it’s less of a mass-interest medium,” said Friel, who works at Comic Relief in Berkeley.
: Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com
Name: Joey Tufo
Age: 22
From: Fremont, California
“I love comics and get hyped up at these things,” Tufo said. “I’ll definitely be attending all the DC panels. This is the second time I’ve ever dressed up.”
: Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com
Name: Richard Kiel
Age: 70
From: Detroit, Michigan, now lives in California’s Central Valley
Perhaps most famous as the James Bond nemesis Jaws, Richard Kiel now makes convention appearances four to six times a year and enjoys meeting all his fans.
: Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com
Name: “The Honky Tonk Man” Roy Wayne Farris
Age: 56
From: Memphis, Tennessee
The former WWF Intercontinental champion is still in the ring every weekend, but likes taking a break to work the convention circuit. Farris explained, “I started last year. It’s something I never knew about. The days are long, but the rewards are worth the wait.”
: Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com
Name: Barron Toler
Age: 58
From: San Francisco Bay Area
“This is my first time at Wondercon — it’s very nice,” said Toler, who is trying to open a sci-fi restaurant in San Jose. “I’m embarrassed I’ve never been here before. This is something entertaining that everyone can afford. People are their own entertainment.”
: Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com
Name: Spenser Barranco
Age: 20
From: Sacramento, California
“The comic industry has its good and bad points,” said Barranco. “Marvel’s Ultimate Universe is going in a great direction; Spiderman has never been married and has less of a messed-up life.”
: Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com
Name: Sean Smith, Jr.
Age: 23
From: San Francisco
“This is my first time at WonderCon. It’s once in a lifetime. Everything is incredible,” said Smith.
: Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com
Name: Pam Simpson
Age: 37
From: Hilmar, California
“We have fun doing this every year. A lot of guy’s wives don’t like it, but it’s a lot more fun to go out as a couple,” explained Simpson.
: Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com
Name: Hilary Branner
Age: 27
From: Los Angeles
“So fun, so good. It’s very busy and the crowd is in very high energy. People are dressed in funky, punky attire which bodes well for me,” noted Branner, who is CEO of Hilary’s Vanity, a gothic and fetish clothing and apparel shop.
: Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com
Name: Justin Turner
Age: 26
From: Portland, Oregon
“It’s one of my favorite conventions I go to,” said Turner. Dressed up as Cobra Commander, he explained, “I was sick of doing a Storm Trooper.”
Tags: moved-temporarily, Multimedia, temporarily
