Adapting to YouTube's new "Dark Player"

After months of design, research & experimentation, YouTube has released a new embedded player theme, and I must say, it looks great! 

However, as of August 10th, YouTube is now using the "dark player" theme on all embedded videos by default.

As many people will want to stick with a lighter theme, YouTube is also releasing other themes and a way to "desaturate" the color.

To pick an alternate theme, pass in values for the "theme" and "color" player parameters. For instance, if you’d like to keep the traditional colors, you can pass parameters such as:

<iframe width="560" height="349"
  src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Cj6ho1-G6tw?theme=light&color=red"
  frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

In the video below, I'm passing the color value of "white".

<iframe width="560" height="349"
  src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Cj6ho1-G6tw?theme=light&color=white"
  frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Make free QR codes in 3 easy steps

I mentioned on Twitter today how easy it is to make QR codes, and after a few responses, I thought I would share it here.

What's a QR Code, and why would I want one?

QR (Quick Response) codes are growing in popularity. They are used to take a piece of information from a transitory media and put it in to your cell phone. You've probably seen QR Codes in magazine ads, on billboards, on web pages or even on t-shirts. Once it is "shot" with your mobile, it may give you details about that business, details about the person wearing the t-shirt, show you a URL which you can click to see a trailer for a movie, or it may give you a coupon which you can use in a local outlet.

Here's an example QR code (that I made in 3 easy steps):

My own QR code linked to this blog post. Scan it!

How do you scan a QR code?

If you have a smart phone with a camera, then your app store will most-likely have several free and premium QR apps available. Basically, just point your phone at the QR code, and the app will do the rest. It's that easy.

LET'S MAKE A QR CODE!

1. Create your content

Ok, this probably goes without saying, but in this example, our QR code will link to a web page, so build the thing you want to send people to, or find the YouTube video, etc. etc.

Not so fast there, pardner!

Since your site visitor will only be using their smartphone to scan your code, make sure that when they arrive on your landing page that they can view the content on the page. Flash content, for example, would be a bad thing for iPhone users, as the iPhone doesn't support Flash.

In Squarespace, I would suggest creating a hidden section for your QR landing page, your email campaigns, etc. This way, people can still browse to the page, but it's not visible on the site's main navigation.

2. Copy your URL in your clipboard and Visit bit.ly

Note:

Bit.ly went through a recent re-design. To access the "info page" that contains the QR Code, just add a "+" immediately after the bit.ly URL to access that page. Exmaple: bitly.com/PrxlQa+

Ok, there are a few micro-steps there, but can you believe we're almost finished? 

As you are probably aware, bit.ly is a URL shortening service that does lots more than shorten URLS. They also offer free stats, tracking clicks over time, and a free QR code with each URL. Free is good.

You'll want to create a bit.ly account to track and check your history, so be sure you do that too.

3. Paste your URL at bit.ly and click "INFO PAGE+"

Whoa, that's it? I just created a QR code? Yes, my friend. That's it. Here's a link to my "Info Page+", if you want to see what's there.

Now copy and paste that image, run to Kinko's and print-out a QR code as big as a bus. The world will scan it.

(clicking this image will take you the the "Info Page+")

TIP: Adding a "+" (plus sign) to the end of any bit.ly short URL will link you to the info/stats page.

ANOTHER TIP: You'll see a URL under your QR code that looks like this: http://bit.ly/gqtY35.qrcode it's a link directly to a larger version of your QR code.

Quick Tip: Login, Log-on, Sign-in, Sign-on —Which is right?

In my last post, I mentioned a few Member Login tips, and when typing the word Login, I cringe a little. This is because in all my years of web content management (aka being a Webmaster) every organization used a different term.

Here's a content management tip that I've used for years.

When you don't know something, you ask a friend, right? But what about comparing web content terms? You ask Google. It's really true you want to find-out what "the world" thinks, and since Google knows everything, they have to be the best source.

Enter GOOGLEFIGHT.COM

At googlefight.com, you can compare the popularity of anything by waging a battle: MAC -vs- PC, Leno -vs- Conan even web content terms like Login -vs- Logon.

When in-doubt, pick a fight!

Quick Tip: The Faster Login

The login box on Squarespace.comMany of my clients know that they can login to their squarespace sites directly from Squarespace.com. This was actually news to me after one client disabled their login page. I was surprised to find that feature.

I thought I would share three ways to login to your Squarespace site.

1. PRESS ESCAPE

Yes, it's that simple. By pressing the escape key on your keyboard, you will be taken to the site's default login screen. 

This is a command that only works if the login page hasn't been disabled from the site's architecture. (more below)

2. ADD "LOGIN" LINK TO YOUR SITE'S NAVIGATION

I know some people love to have their login link accessible as part of their navigation, but considering the escape key shortcut, I never really knew the point.

OK, aside from this instance— If a site has several editors & members, then the login access should probably be visible at all times.

To add the login link to a section of your site, first select "Add Page" within the section where you want to add the page. Select "Login Prompt", then "Select & Configure". 

You can then name the page, and even assign a unique style to your login page. It's handy that Squarespace has provided the customization of the login page to allow site owners to add whatever messaging is necessary there.

Login is disabledYou'll want to enable the page for it to be visible. 

If the page is disabled, the escape shortcut above will not work. Instead, the visitor will see a Page Not Found message. However, if the page is deleted, the escape shortcut will still work.

3. "Member Login" ON SQUARESPACE.COM

As I mentioned earlier, logging-in to any Squarespace site can be done in the upper-right "Member Login" link on Squarespace.com

I hope you found these tips helpful. When mentioning the Escape shortcut to past clients, there's usually applause over the phone.