Yeah guys, our fears (and the rumors that have been doing the rounds) have proven to be true. Google has finally managed to buy out YouTube.com in a $1.65bn huge deal. Of course that money could have been a lot less had it not been for us the users. We have been the fodder of the service providing those funny, pranky, sinister, parody, nude and the rest of the videos to the service.

So what do we get in return for this. How are we, the users, going to benefit from this deal. Nobody ever thought of that did they? Nope. It was left till now to sort that question out. I have been wondering about this ever since I read the news of the purchase.

The changes that I expect to take place are summarized below:

• There is going to be a certain level of screening from now on, that’s for sure.
• They will be merging the existing google video technology and of course the sign-in methods with the YouTube service. Just like Blogger/Orkut and others.
• The feeling of being able to post your own videos unhindered, uncensored and unrestricted is going to go away.

My suggestion is, we all should start preparing from now onwards. I mean you have to keep your fingers crossed and be ready for the censorship norms to take effect. Look for alternate services. After all, Microsoft is launching Soapbox (well, be careful there too) and look for others around. I found Photobucket interesting. It has scope for sharing photos, videos, and other features that are good. Why not try it out? After all you have to keep your options open. I know that I am keep mine open.
Of course, I’m not encouraging (video) piracy or the sorts. I’m against it myself. All I want to say is, the way you have been able to post your bedroom videos online to share is gonna change. You never know what these google folks may ask you to do! I don’t know what to expect and surely enough my fingers are crossed. Although YouTube will still be functioning as a separate entity after the deal comes through, we never know!
Best of luck to all the fellow YouTubers.

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