Family Feud!

[Chojin]

Okay! So! My grandfather of over 90 years of age has recently fallen ill. Last year, his wife died and his daughter of over 50 moved in with him now that she wouldn't have to live with her mother (they didn't get along). This daughter, my aunt, has been financially supported by my grandfather for virtually every year of her life and is forever concocting hair-brained schemes to PROVIDE for the family - barring, of course, any actual jobs that might require responsibility, commitment, and a guaranteed cashflow. After her fantastic idea of growing and selling tomatoes from home in a rural farming community didn't quite pan out (to our collective shock and amazement), her newest idea is to sell her knowledge in growing tomatoes over the internet. This is the best idea anyone has ever had in the history of ideas. Previous ideas include: real estate agent for lesbians, internet living will writing service, and many, many more.

Again, my grandfather is ill. She had mentioned the last weekend I was up there that she wanted to record videos of him and put them on YouTube to preserve his words for posterity. The man's already written two books, but I felt that putting him on YouTube was a good idea and recommended that they buy a $20-30 webcam. So a couple days ago, I get this e-mail:

Originally Posted by Aunt

Frank,

When you and Eric visited, we discussed the importance of recording Dad's stories on video and getting some of them on YouTube, especially the ones that will promote his book, which Dad would really love.

Eric recommended a Web cam, but that requires Dad sit in front of a computer. I don't think he would come off very well in such a static situation. Here is a low-cost, highly-rated alternative of a camera that could pan to show photos and pretty much anything else, so that Dad would be more animated as he points to things and explains them:

http://www.amazon.com/Flip-Video-Cam...8477532&sr=8-1

I don't know when or if you can spend any money on this, but I think the Flip Video camcorder should be considered versus a Web cam before any purchase is made.

Dad had an emergency visit Tuesday to his new rheumatologist for pain in his right arm. The rheumatologist diagnosed tendonitis and gave him an injection in the shoulder. Dad was feeling much better yesterday.

And about 6 hours later,

Originally Posted by Aunt

Frank,

We've solved the Web cam/YouTube camera problem, so never mind. I'll send you links when Dad's on YouTube.

These were written to my father and CC'd to me, so I assumed that the request for the immediate funding of a $120-130 device applied to myself as well. In response:

Originally Posted by Me

I earnestly hope that you found a much cheaper alternative to the solution you recommended for this application ($110 + s/h), as I am concerned about my grandfather's funds relative to the expenses from his recent health care issues.

A webcam costs as little as $20 and is certainly much easier for recording video to YouTube than a camcorder; he could even record directly through YouTube's website via webcam, and neither of you would have to bother with transferring and converting video files from the capture device. I don't understand what you mean by "he wouldn't come off very well in such a static situation", as likely only the location of the shoot would change when using a camcorder, and thousands of people record to YouTube via webcam every day; surely the problem you've presented isn't worth spending an extra $90+ to solve.

All the same, I look forward to seeing the videos and am glad that you are facilitating the process.

Thanks,
Eric

You can pretty much follow the e-mails from here, I think:

Originally Posted by Aunt

I am touched by your concern.

However, aren't Web cams connected to the computer? And you can't walk around with them? We had to have a camera you can walk around with.

I'm also going to use the camera to create instructional videos that I will post on YouTube to link back to my Web site to boost my Google ranking. A Web cam would not work for this purpose. We went ahead and got the camera on sale at Best Buy yesterday because I have to make these videos while my tomato plants are still alive. We couldn't wait.
Plus, it's a big relief that I'll be able to preserve Dad's stories, including his comments on information theory, evolution and the origin of life, which I will post on YouTube to promote his books.And these uses make the camera deductible.

About transferring and converting video files from the capture device--you obviously didn't click the links I sent for the Flip camera, so, if you want to check it out, here they are again:

http://www.theflip.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Flip-Video-Cam...8585611&sr=1-1 The reviews are unusually informative and enthusiastic.

Once again, I appreciate your concern. But I'm already crazy about this little camera and I'll be carrying it with me almost everywhere I go.

Originally Posted by Me

Your original message hadn't mentioned the personal uses you intended for the camera, so no, while you can't walk around with a webcam, it would have been a more cost-effective solution for granddad's needs.

Linking websites from YouTube to improve SEO isn't a terribly effective strategy, as most search engines don't consider links from video pages in their ranking algorithms, as many of these pages contain spam both in the video descriptions and comments. I did indeed click the link for the camera before and stand by my previous assertions - you need to plug the camera into a USB slot and transfer the videos to YouTube from there. It's a nice afterthought that they included 'YouTube upload software' with the device, but this is ultimately meaningless, as the same thing could be achieved by visiting YouTube's website and clicking the 'Upload' button. Again, it's another step in the process, and YouTube offers an option to record and upload in one stroke directly via webcam.

You didn't mention in either of the original e-mails that the camera would largely be for your own purposes, and as you were asking my father (and possibly myself, as I was sent a copy of the proposal) for funding for this device, I felt it was appropriate to offer insight on more sensible alternatives. I'm not sure how I feel about the purposeful omission of that information in the initial mailing.

Thanks,
Eric

Originally Posted by Aunt

You leap to so many wrong conclusions that I really don't see any point in making much effort to clarify your thinking since every effort I make will just result in you zooming off in another wrong direction.

There was no bait-and-switch in my sending the links and asking for my brother's help in getting a camera to record our father's stories. And I was not asking YOU for money. I deeply regret asking you for your opinion, since you are wedded to your original stance that Web cams are the one and only solution to recording Dad's stories--more to defend your ego than for any rational reason. We'd have had to wait for finances to improve if the only purpose was to record Dad's stories. But once I realized the camera would help me make instructional videos--which you ought to realize I can also use for bonuses, not simply for SEO--then it made sense to get the camera immediately for my purposes because my plants won't be alive to make these videos if I waited. This decision was made AFTER I e-mail Frank and you.

And let me make this clear: I really don't value your opinions on SEO, or any aspect of Internet marketing.

Eric, you really are going to fail in life if you treat everyone the way you are treating me. You have needlessly insulted and antagonized me. I'm not going to put up with it. Make the effort to learn better manners. From now on, every time you are rude to me, I will bust you for it.

Originally Posted by Me

I'm afraid I don't understand why you're upset. Thus far, I had neither insulted nor antagonized you. As you did ask for my opinion, I gave it to you. I feel that it would be wise to accept the fact that the answers you seek are not necessarily the ones you would like to hear. Asking my father or anyone else to spend $90 above and beyond a superior solution that you've already decided against under false assumptions is unreasonable, and I have tried to explain this to you in simple terms.

If you don't value my opinions, don't ask for them.

In reference to "failing at life," I remain optimistic in your ability to continue the success you've thus far enjoyed in life into your latest projects.

Thanks,
Eric

I'm sure this won't end here! Tune back in later for the exciting conclusion!

Also, I would not be at all surprised if she searched for strings in the e-mail on Google and found this forum. Here's hoping she registers!