ECpod

Infobox Dotcom company
company_name = ECPod, Inc.
company_type = Educational Services, Video Sharing Platform
company_slogan = Learn English and Chinese the EC way
owner = ECPod Company Limited
company_
foundation = August, 2006
location_city = Hong Kong
location_country = Hong Kong
key_people =


caption = Screenshot of ECPod.com home page
url = [http://www.ecpod.com/ ECPod.com]
registration = Optional
(required to upload videos)
launch_date = 2006
current_status = active
language = English, Mandarin
advertising = Future Expansion Feature
website_type = Video Sharing, Electronic learning

ECPod is a video sharing website where users can upload, view and share video clips. Its operating method is similar to YouTube's video platform but was mainly designed to educate users. The website service uses Adobe Flash technology to display videos for educational purposes with the aim of teaching its audience mainstream languages like Mandarin and English.

In May 2008, "'ECPod" has publicly announced its action to promote its phase 2 improvements. According to the email sent to registered members, phase 2 include layout changes and some other features, such as World Map, Blogs, Photos and Live Chat. The email also mentioned a late 2008 release and beta testings are expected to run progressively through November, 2008.

Overview

ECPod offers a wide variety of videos including, movie extracts, TV clips and music videos, as well as amateur content such as videoblogging and original videos. In February 2008, ECpod announced it's second stage of development which will include more features to enhance users' experience. These features, however, are still under the cover. The future ECpod is due to release in late-2008.

On ECPod, unregistered users may watch video contents on the site, while only registered users are permitted to upload videos. Dislike YouTube, ECPod's moderators reviews each video to ensure it meets the ECpod's platform standard requirement and video's initial aim, to educate the audience. [ [http://www.ecpod.com/misc_html/aboutus_en_GB.htm "About Us, ECpod.com"] , "Current Version"; retrieved March 25, 2008] Although, users have the ability to respond to videos, tagging and subscribing to content feeds are not yet available on ECpod.

Videos Content

Chinese

There are currently more than 1000 videos on ECpod teaching users Chinese.

English

There are currently more than 1000 videos on ECpod teaching users English.

Video Contests

Apple iPod Touch Contest

Since February, 2008, ECpod hosted a video contest, which lead to a dramatic growth of ECpod users. Some primary schools in China appreciated the campaign and encouraged students to join the contest. The contest is scheduled to end on 15 June, 2008. The winner of this contest will be rewarded an Apple Inc. iPod Touch. [ [http://www.ecpod.com/pdf/pdf_promot_en_GB.pdf" ECpod.com Submit and Win"] , "Current Version"; retrieved March 25, 2008]

Famous Contributors

Fu Shou Bing

Fu is noted as one of the site's well-known faces. In his series of video blogging, he speaks in English and teaches his audience Mandarin. Usually a couple words or a single line. His filming locations vary from indoor classrooms to outdoor theme parks. All his videos start with his famous tagline "This is Fu Shou Bing speaking". He was awarded the ECpod's best-video prize on 4 March, 2008 for best video of the month.

Terms of Service

According ECPod's Terms and Conditions, users must register before uploading videos and should have permission from the copyright holder and people depicted in the videos. [ [http://www.ecpod.com/misc_html/terms_en_GB.htm"ECpod.com TERMS AND CONDITIONS"] , "Current Version"; retrieved March 25, 2008] . When users upload videos to ECpod, they grant ECpod the license to distribute and modify the uploaded material for any purpose. Other users, however, are not permitted to use clips uploaded on ECPod; meaning that downloading clips off ECpod is in violation of ECpod's Terms and Conditions and is illegal in accordance with international copyright protection law.

Inside ECPod

The figure of employees currently working in ECpod is unstated but insiders revealed that some ECpod employees are under part-time conditions and others under contractual conditions. ECpod's administrative headquarters is located in Hong Kong, however, most of its core staffs are based in Mainland China, which the corporation is targeting at. Although ECpod is based in Hong Kong, [http://www.ecpod.com/ ECpod.com] 's websites are supported by international servers hosting its content for broadcasting around the world.

ECPod 2.0

The new version of the ECPod will be 100% Web 2.0. Which allows dynamic content, faster loading and lot more features (hence called ECPod 2.0) ECpod announced its second stage of development which will include more features to enhance users' experience. It is rumored that this new version of ECpod will include a new contributing system which similar platforms lack to accommodate, details and confirmation of this, along with other features are yet to be disclosed. ECPod 2.0 is scheduled to operate on [http://www.ecpod.com/ ECpod.com] in late-2008.

In May 2008, an email was sent to all users notifying them of the upcoming updates. It read that the team are currently working on Phase 2 development to improve layout and features. New functions such as World Map, Blogs, Photos and Live Chat were mentioned. With these announcement it is expected beta testing will start at the end of September.

Localization

ECpod has servers located in different ISP networks in China hosting its content for massive broadcasting.

International [http://www.ecpod.com/ "International Site"]

China [http://ct.ecpod.com/ "CT Network"] [http://cn.ecpod.com/ "CNC Network"]

ee also

* Alternative media
* Comparison of video services
* List of Internet phenomena
* User-generated content
* Viral video

References

External links

* [http://www.ecpod.com/ "ECPod.com"]
* [http://ct.ecpod.com/ "CT version of ECPod"]
* [http://cn.ecpod.com/ "CNC version of ECPod"]
* [http://www.ecpod.com/pdf/pdf_promot_en_GB.pdf "ECpod's iPod Touch Contest"]