Frequently Asked Questions
Using WonderHowTo.com
Where'd all these videos come from?
Everywhere: on hundreds of disparate servers, from thousands of talented producers participating
in the nascent video revolution. We're working on indexing all the great, Free How-To Video. So help
us ferret out those pockets of insane know-how and share your video finds with us! Submit a link today!
What kind of videos do you cherish, love, and honor?
We start by asking a simple question. Does the video possess the intent to instruct the viewer?
Some videos have the intent to promote, entertain, or inform: but that is not the same thing as the
intent to instruct. Is the process of the how-to clearly delineated with requisite ingredients, tools,
and details? After viewing the video, can you do-it-yourself? If the answer is yes to the above, we
want that video.
What videos do you reject?
Does the video lack the intent to instruct? Product reviews and product demonstrations may be
informative, but that does not mean they are instructional. Be careful of videos whose seemingly
instructional intent gets hijacked by comedy or "student-film-making-ism": reject. Egregious and
glaring self promotion: reject. Excerpts from for-sale DVD's that serve as a 'sneak peak': reject.
(While we respect the right of others to sell DVD's, we want our site to stand for Free How-To Video,
with no strings attached). Our sincere goal is to forward the nascent revolution in free and generous
video information.
Do you censor? Is there a safe search?
In the spirit of indexing all the great Free How-To Video, we have few boundaries if the video has
the intent to instruct. Oh. Now that you mentioned it. Porn is not a how-to video. Did we make that
clear. NO PORN! Simply showing someone doing something is not instructional. Remember all, there is
attention and then there is intention. We also reserve the right to deny any video which we believe
promotes overtly anti-social behavior. And we choose to limit what our younger users can view such as
violence, drugs and nudity. To view our "restricted 18+" material you must be of age and a registered
user. If you feel a video is inappropriate, please flag it by clicking the "suggest a correction" line
under the video.
Submit a Link
How do I submit a video?
Click the Submit tab near the top of the page. Enter the URL in the rectangular box. A new page will
open. Here, we want to give you the opportunity to enter the video's supporting information like the
Category, Sub-Category, Headline, Description, Length, Format and Screen Grab. So, when you enter all that
information, and it is a great video we have not previously indexed, we get jazzed. No joke. Oh yeah, if
you Submit a number of great and revelatory videos... we might ask you to join us!
What's a category? Sub-category?
We’re organizing all the videos like a library. Once you pick the correct
category for your video, you will be asked to choose a sub-category. This
allows everyone else to find your video easily.
What if there is no category or sub-category for my video?
That can happen even though we have more than 400 sub-categories. We suggest you choose the sub-category
you think is closest and fill out the supporting information. Add a note at the end of the description of
what you suggest as the new sub-category. You can also advise us by hitting the handy link: make a suggestion.
We are honest. We don’t know everything... yet!
What is a "headline"?
These are the words that would naturally complete the phrase Wonder how to...
Examples of a headline are French kiss or Run with the bulls.
That is to say: Wonder how to French kiss. Wonder how to Run with the bulls.
Be sure the first letter of your headline is capitalized.
What do I put in "description"?
Well, describe the video. If you really want people to be able to find your video, use words that
are precise, and describe the content: people, places, things. Yes, nouns are very good. Our internal
search engine relies on the thoroughness of your description. So make it accurate and detailed. (Example:
Surfboard. 6’7”. Al Merrick. Flyer II. Fiberglass. Swallowtail. Three fin.)
What the #@$% is a Screen Grab?!?!
It’s the still image that represents the video. If it is a well chosen screen grab, it tells a thousand words.
How do I get a Screen Grab?
Mac (OS X):
- Hold command + shift + 4
- Drag crosshairs over the video during a relevant frame.
- Click on the WonderHowTo.com Submit Tab, and when you get to Step 2, click the "browse" button under Screen Grab.
- Browse to your desktop to find the file (commonly entitled "Picture 1").
- Click "open" and submit the form.
PC (Windows):
- Find the still/screen image from the video that best visually summarizes your Headline. Pause that image.
- Hit the 'Print Scrn' button on top right of your keyboard.
- Open the 'Paint' function. (Start>All Programs>Accessories>Paint)
- Click 'edit'. Then click 'paste'.
- Click the 'Crop' icon: on the top right among functions.
(you’re probably defaulted to the "Crop" function already.)
Now crop the image with your mouse.
- Right click, 'copy to' and your pc will automatically point to your My Pictures file.
- In 'file name', simply type a name for your image.
- Click 'save'.
- Click on the WonderHowTo.com Submit Tab, and when you get to Step 2, click the "browse" button under Screen Grab.
- Find the file name that you typed in.
- Click "open" and submit the form.
I've submitted a link! Why is my video not on the site yet?
Don’t take this personally, but we were hoping to check it out before it goes live.
We actually REALLY enjoy watching what everyone submits.
Our dream would be to have so much coming from you amazing members, that we can't possibly watch it all.
But until then, we are watching EVERYTHING, sprucing it up,
making sure it’s not just a video of Will Ferrell’s baby swearing.
Quality or Quantity?
Glad you asked. We actually want all great Free How-To Video. In our humble opinion,
Quality is far more important than Quantity. In our community section, we will highlight the
Gem Submitters whose quality shines. That is because Quality is just... Wonderful.
Search Engine
How do I search?
Just look at the top-right and type in the key word to start your query.
Watch this video for a quick and easy walk-through:
Can I refine my search after I get my results?
After you have typed your key word into Search and received your results, you can look to the
left hand column and see Refine Search. This is a nifty way for you to see the results displayed
and sorted by Category and even by Sub-category. (It is a good deal more useful than receiving
pages and pages of undifferentiated results... the way some big search engines offer results.) That
is, a key word may have tons of results. But you can look to the left column and quickly filter
through the Category or Sub-category results to determine whether the answer to your question lies
in a particular area of your interest.
Can I search within a Category or Sub-category?
You can approach search by choosing first what Category you are curious about. As an example,
choose a video Category (say, Food) in the Browse column. Now, glance above the Search bar. The
enabled button above the Search bar that reflects your Category choice, means you can now search
for results that are only from within the designated Category (FoodVideos). Now, type in your query.
How can I sort my results?
Above every video list in the middle column appears the Sort By options. There you can set sort
order by a compelling variety of variables: grade, submitter, format, date submitted, duration, etc.
We are very proud of our faceted taxonomy. We love to let you sort by varied and relevant criteria.
There is so much more to this world of video than ‘most viewed’. We work very hard to give you many
different paths to discover compelling videos.
What makes a video Hot?
Check Hot to see what the rest of the WonderHowTo community is watching. This is calculated by
looking at all of the recent activity around each video: How many people are watching, grading, commenting,
or favoriting each video, and in what way.
What makes a video Fresh?
These are videos added to WonderHowTo since your last visit, that is if you are a registered user.
Browsing the Fresh keeps you up on all the newest videos before they have become yesterday’s news. And you
can easily refine them by the categories you like. If you are an Automotive freak, look to the Refine Fresh
column to the left of the Fresh results, and follow your fancy.
What are Hidden Gems?
Hidden Gems are videos that are well made, but haven’t grabbed the crowd yet. WonderHowTo caters
to the long tail of curiosity. Great quality may not equate to most viewed. Hidden Gem is our way of
showcasing the great, but rarely unearthed.
What is Recommends?
Recommends are meant to guide you to videos we think you’ll appreciate based on what you watch,
grade, comment on, share or use in Playlists. But, know that you must be a member to receive
Recommends: only if you are a member can we make intelligent recommendations to you.
What's a WonderWeekly?
Every week, we write/produce/direct a video straight from our HQ in the form of the Wonderweekly.
The topics will differ each week. Sometimes, it is a simple Vlog. Sometimes, we feature video
creators and members of our community. Sometimes, we test a video concept and challenge the scourge
of the instructional video field: the faux-to! And yes, when the spirit moves, we will direct a one
of a kind how-to.
Community
How can I join and upload my picture?
Watch this video for a quick and easy walk-through:
How can I find my friends?
Search member profiles by clicking on the Members button in the top right below the Search area.
What determines a Kindred Spirit?
The Kindred Spirits algorithm considers every user relationship within the community. Viewing
history, comments, favorites, Playlists and even how you grade a video…all determine match-strength.
Kindred spirituality is limitless!
How do I become a Wonderstar?
We like to celebrate great contributions by our community. Submit the best. Submit the most.
Watch the most. Grade the most. Comment the most. Create popular playlists. You get the idea.
We appreciate your enthusiasm.
What about me? I'm New.
Newbies, Welcome! We can’t help but love you for joining in on the Wonderment. So, we'll feature
you too, but as a Newbie. Even newcomers have their time to shine. But after that, you have got to
earn your stripes: submit, watch some videos, show us something great and then we can talk about
another star.
Who is responsible for the grades?
Upon entering our site, every video is assigned an initial grade by our staff: but, based upon
subsequent grading by the community, the grade will shift accordingly. We want you to grade. Your
expertise is valued. Additionally, as a member, the grade you assign to a particular video is the
precise grade that determines how it shows up in your search results.
Profile
How can I customize my Profile?
Click your screen name on the front page. (Or alternately, click the Community tab and then the
My Profile sub-tab.) Then click Edit Profile Settings. First thing, add a photo. It doesn't have
to be pretty, but it does have to be in .png, .jpg or .gif format. And don’t be naked: we don't want
or need to see that. Secondly, enter your birth date so you can navigate the controlled access
sections, properly. There are several account settings that offer different levels of control.
Finally, make sure you hit Save Settings.
What are these Stats below my profile?
When you become a registered user, we hook you up with your statistics: everything from what you've
watched and graded, to what you have said about a video. You can also browse the Stats of other
people. We consider stat-surfing a really fun sport.
I'm a very important person. How may I hide?
Click the Edit Profile Settings. Here, you are in control of how much people see about you. When
you select to hide specific stats, a lock will appear where your stats used to be. Voila! Your viewing
patterns can be invisible!
What if I want to see just the very great videos?
While in Edit Profile Settings, go to Account Settings, and then to Filter Videos. If you only
want to see videos grade A- or better, you are one click away.
Playlist
What is a Playlist?
Well it's a bunch of videos you put together into a, get this, LIST!!! Customize your Playlist by
adding a picture, a description about the whole list, and commentary about why you picked each video
on the list. Make it unique and revelatory and we might advance your list to become a featured
Wonderlist! Note for the fame-phobic: you can elect to keep your Playlist private, too, and never
worry about making the front page.
How do I make a Playlist?
Every great Playlist starts with an inspiring video. Find that video. Then start your Playlist by
clicking on the Add to Playlist bar below the video's frame. A pop-up window will guide you through
naming your Playlist, adding an image, and explaining your Playlist with a description. Only
Playlists with 4 or more videos become visible to the public. To add more videos to your Playlist,
go to each video's page and click Add to Playlist!
Watch this video for a quick and easy walk-through:
What's a Wonderlist?
All Wonderlists begin life as Playlists, made by our community. When our curation staff sights a
great Playlist, it's handpicked and elevated in nomenclature (to “Wonderlist”). We elevate Wonderlists
weekly. So keep them coming.
Where can I tell you what I think?
Don't like something? Have a suggestion? We welcome your comments, suggestions and the occasional
vociferous pontification. Just click the "Make a Suggestion" link at the bottom of any page.
Can I join the Wonder-Team?
Are you a how-to genius, a taxonomy nut or just obsessed with something wonderful? We're actively
looking for individuals to curate and moderate category-content. The first step would be for you to
submit excellent videos and display your Wonder-chops. The second step would be to establish in which
Category you hold the most compelling expertise. The third step would be for you to contact us at
moderators at wonderhowto dot com.
Troubleshooting
Why is this video not playing?
We're a search engine pointing to videos hosted elsewhere, so there are could be a variety of
reasons a video may not work. Repeat: we do not host and stream the videos you are seeing. Here are
some common issues and solutions.
Problems:
- Nothing happens when I click on "open video in a new window"
- Nothing happens at all
- Redirected to an empty, incorrect error page
Solutions:
- Clear your cache or private data to make sure your browser has downloaded the latest version.
- Disable your popup blocker for the domain wonderhowto.com
- Download, update, & install all of your video players to the latest versions:
- Sometimes you've exhausted every solution. A broken link is a broken link. Alert us to your
challenges through the "make a suggestion" link below each video or at the foot of every page.
- If you're encountering problems with your browser, you may want to explore an alternative, like
Firefox.
