the YouTube of How-To?

August 28, 2006 7:12 AM

There's a new site, just up and running, that aims to be the YouTube of How-To. Not exactly overflowing with clips just yet, but it could perhaps become a handy web resource, if people really start uploading stuff, and if the folks running it keep pumping out the in-house productions that so far comprise the majority of the site's content. Anyway, it's already the place to go if you want a tutorial on how to make a California roll, or how to hang a door. And if nothing else, some of these clips are just screaming for a mashup treatment. They're calling it VideoJug.
posted by flapjax at midnite (52 comments total)

yakitori!
posted by matteo at 7:20 AM on August 28, 2006

great site
posted by farishta at 7:24 AM on August 28, 2006

You will need: A curiously watchable elfin woman in a series of unlikely "acting poses"
posted by Jofus at 7:28 AM on August 28, 2006

Uh Anoxeria Plumberia ?
posted by elpapacito at 7:52 AM on August 28, 2006

The quality seems to be good (eg: the "how to make satay" film being done in a restaurant) as opposed to being flakey user-uploaded stuff. If they manage to keep the site up and expand it with good content, it could be fantastic. Good to see they've also got text-only and downloadable versions as well.
posted by TheDonF at 8:23 AM on August 28, 2006

Jofus, that was totally weird. She just stares at you while voice-over lady keeps chatting. Say something, toilet-clearing-woman!
posted by GuyZero at 8:30 AM on August 28, 2006

Very nice link, thanks!

That elfin woman should have taken her rubber gloves off before flushing and disinfecting the toilet, though.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 8:31 AM on August 28, 2006

That shit is awesome. The web is about to get a whole lot better.
posted by mistersquid at 8:52 AM on August 28, 2006

Toilet Elf.
posted by jsavimbi at 8:54 AM on August 28, 2006

This is the best site ever, even though I am humiliated to find out that I have been cooking and eating Bavarian white sausages the wrong way for years.
posted by rosemere at 8:54 AM on August 28, 2006

How to roll a cigarette

You must be over 16 to view this film.
posted by iconjack at 9:00 AM on August 28, 2006

GuyZero: I think it's something to do with the fact that the whole thing looks just a little like the beginning of a wrong porn film. Especially when the plumber comes in. Or is it just me?

It's me, isn't it?
posted by Jofus at 9:01 AM on August 28, 2006

I guess in Britain they still use the term "Oriental".
posted by jsavimbi at 9:10 AM on August 28, 2006

No, I picked up that too, Jofus.

I thought it was just a manifestation of my desire for Pornographic Instructional Videos that would help me do more than just be a better lover. I mean sure, I could satisfy her all night long, but is that as practical as knowing how to change a carburetor? I think not!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:11 AM on August 28, 2006

Speaking of which (Pornographic Instructional Videos), it's only a matter of about a week until they have that section up as well, or as soon as they get their hosting bill.
posted by jsavimbi at 9:15 AM on August 28, 2006

You Will You Will Also You Will Also Need Will Also Roe Need Roe Roe Roe
posted by odinsdream at 9:23 AM on August 28, 2006

I guess in Britain they still use the term "Oriental".

Maybe there's room for a politically-correct ethnic name convention video. I could play it for my parents and, perhaps, hear less about a-rabs, eye-talians, the negros and the hobos.

They could call it 'How not to speak like John Wayne.'
posted by jimmythefish at 9:30 AM on August 28, 2006

I'm a little worried about the guy making the chips. They keep mentioning a deep fat frier, but he just has a pot. I like the indian recipes, will probably come in handy. This looks like a pretty cool little site.
posted by jamesonandwater at 9:32 AM on August 28, 2006

What ethnicity is hobo?
posted by obfusciatrist at 9:34 AM on August 28, 2006

Endearing Toilet Elf does sinks, too.
posted by CynicalKnight at 9:34 AM on August 28, 2006

Why not name it HowTube?
posted by CynicalKnight at 9:36 AM on August 28, 2006

I was skeptical, but with a review based submission process and an allowance of up to fifteen minutes it sounds like they're going to hit the mark. I can imagine many projects that would not be accurately described for a fellow DIY'er in under five minutes time, shot in that technically deficient but ever prevalent youtube webcam style. They picked a poor name though, "Jug" doesn't imply a transfer of knowledge to me...
posted by prostyle at 9:38 AM on August 28, 2006

I love the toilet-elf. I feel her pain.
posted by Jofus at 9:44 AM on August 28, 2006

The electrical ones seem a bit... well, no one typically gets killed if they mess up using a plunger. Changing a fuse raises a few questions:

First, are these all UK specific? I mean, I can get past the accents, but what the hell is that fusebox?

Second, holy crap! That thing is a deathtrap! Those kinds of fuse boxes don't exist in Canada and hopefully not anywhere else - cutting your own 15A fuse wire? Allow me to reiterate: holy. living. fuck. That looks dangerous. Do you Brits (Scots, Irish people, Geordies, etc etc) actually have fuse boxes like that?

Finally, when someone dies doing this, will the video playing on the PSP/iPod in the off-hand of the dead person be used in the lawsuit?
posted by GuyZero at 9:45 AM on August 28, 2006

"Why not name it HowTube?"

because the video for "How to fend off a copyright infrigement suit" hasn't been posted yet.
posted by drstein at 9:49 AM on August 28, 2006

video for "How to fend off a copyright infrigement suit" hasn't been posted yet

Zowie. Surf before you speak. Surf before you speak. Surf before you speak.
posted by CynicalKnight at 9:53 AM on August 28, 2006

This is amazing. The voiceovers are so charming and the site is just really nicely done. Great post.

Many people have tried and failed to teach me, but today I will wear a bow tie to work.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 10:01 AM on August 28, 2006

Do you Brits (Scots, Irish people, Geordies, etc etc) actually have fuse boxes like that?

Every fusebox I've ever seen (here in Britain) is like that, and in fact I'm unaware of any alternatives.
posted by influx at 10:01 AM on August 28, 2006

Do you Brits (Scots, Irish people, Geordies, etc etc) actually have fuse boxes like that?

There's quite a few of those still around. The last few places I've lived in had trip switches instead though.
posted by teleskiving at 10:13 AM on August 28, 2006

Cool site! Thanks for posting it, flapjax.
posted by owhydididoit at 10:16 AM on August 28, 2006

Odd how they're either unaware of the regional nature of the electrical how-to videos or simply don't care.
posted by GuyZero at 10:17 AM on August 28, 2006

Why not name it HowTube?

I got in on the "ground floor" of this whole "Tube" thing, so it sounds good to me!
posted by Tube at 10:26 AM on August 28, 2006

This site is surprisingly good. And toilet elf is awesome!
posted by sveskemus at 10:35 AM on August 28, 2006

today I will wear a bow tie to work.

Lookin' sharp, Tucker!
posted by sonofsamiam at 10:41 AM on August 28, 2006

I already knew how to pitch a tent.
posted by kirkaracha at 10:49 AM on August 28, 2006

I want a Toilet Elf t-shirt.
posted by sidereal at 12:13 PM on August 28, 2006

I already knew how to pitch a tent.

Alternative Method
posted by thanatogenous at 12:16 PM on August 28, 2006

Dammit - stuck at work behind video firewall. I want to see toilet elf!
posted by Sparx at 5:42 PM on August 28, 2006

Well, looks to me like Toilet Elf definitely needs her own site, or blog, or something. Maybe you Mefites so captivated with this Pixie of Plumbing should start a fan club! :)
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:23 PM on August 28, 2006

GuyZero: Second, holy crap! That thing is a deathtrap!

Umm, why? The wire / blades of the fuseholder can't be touched without fully removing it from the base, when it's not plugged in to the base the fuseholder isn't live, and the live contacts in the base are recessed and can't be contacted.

In fact, they're considerably safer than the older-style American Type T ES screw-in fuse bases.

But your irrational fear of teh electricity pales in comparison to my love for ToiletElf...
posted by Pinback at 10:07 PM on August 28, 2006

This is pretty neat. Now to complete a lame web 2.0 analogy:

YouTube is to VideoJug
as
Wikipedia is to Wikihow

Long live toilet elf.
posted by fishbulb at 12:23 AM on August 29, 2006

GuyZero - she's busy listening carefully to the voiceover, so she can get that pesky toilet unclogged properly!
sidereal - I too would like to sport a Toilet Elf t-shirt.
From the Sink Elf video: "bale"? Is this a typo or one of those "tire"/"tyre" things? I care because it is 3:41 AM here and I just got home from the bars.
(IANAPlumber)
posted by zoinks at 12:45 AM on August 29, 2006

zoinks, do you really live in a white Ford Taurus in the middle of a huge Baltimore parking lot?
posted by sidereal at 8:30 AM on August 29, 2006

In an exciting piece of internet googling/stalking - by cleverly watching the credits I have discovered Toilet Elf is one Christie duBois.

Here is her MySpace page! (Caution - embedded KT Tunstall seemed to break FireFox a little). She now lives in Seattle doing the impoverished Actor thing. Someone get that Toilet Elf a job.

Because I like to live dangerously - I have emailed her and told her of THIS VERY THREAD! And yes, I had to sign up for myspace under an assumed name to do so. The lengths I go to for MeFi.
posted by Sparx at 4:05 PM on August 29, 2006

Sparx, I congratulate you on your m4d st4lkr ski11z and hope that they reflect in a meliorative sense upon all MeFites by proxy, as I am sure they will. It's hard to think of a greater compliment to a young woman, except maybe the "there's bitter divorced 40something guys out there panting at you" compliment, which is pretty hard to top, you'll agree.

(not clicking on the MySpace link due to a tattered rag of remaining self-respect)

(the jessamatt kills bad threads when they start, but what of when they start well and then go bad all at once?)
posted by sidereal at 4:34 PM on August 29, 2006

Ouch, sidereal. I don't think it's that bad. The woman's a credited actor, has a myspace page with a send mail button, and we all got a kick out of her work. Being neither over 40 or divorced - I don't think informing her of that crosses a line. If it does - I apologise to Toilet Elf fans worldwide.
posted by Sparx at 4:45 PM on August 29, 2006

posted by sidereal: (the jessamatt kills bad threads when they start, but what of when they start well and then go bad all at once?)

Good question. I'd hope that any comments deemed offensive or out of line would be deleted, and not the whole thread.

posted by Sparx: The woman's a credited actor, has a myspace page with a send mail button, and we all got a kick out of her work...I don't think informing her of that crosses a line.

For what it's worth, I think Sparx is basically right, and I believe his intentions were good. The point about her having a "send e-mail" button at her MySpace page is important, too, I think. Plus, the comments made about her here were not mean-spirited or nasty. I think this woman has every right to know that she's been commented on, and, I daresay, she may well be pleased about it. Hey, maybe she'll join MeFi and jump into this thread!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:18 PM on August 29, 2006

Sparx, I was trying to be a self-effacing smartass, no harm meant - sorry it didn't come across. I'm the 40something creepo. I love the Toilet Elf meme in all its 72-hour lifespan. Peace, brah.
posted by sidereal at 6:23 PM on August 29, 2006

Sidereal: Phew - I thought I might have to MeTa myself. I'm a sensitive soul with much self doubt. Her name was listed at the end of the vid and a mere google brought forth the myspace page, which I figured was interesting and publicly available related information. Thankfully, I did not have to break into the Witness Protection Program database (again!) to find it.

I used the "do unto others" test before messaging. I figured if my 15 seconds of internet fame were going on, especially in a positive way - I'd appreciate a heads up. Though you people talking about plumber porn - for shame!

Possibly the worst thing that might come out of this (near as I can see) is that she obtains a difficult to explain nickname. Haven't we all been there? I know I have.
posted by Sparx at 11:29 PM on August 29, 2006

Postscript:

Hoorah! She replied and considers it "freaking hilarious" and is having T-Shirt oriented thoughts.

Rock on with your bad self, Toilet Elf.
posted by Sparx at 12:39 PM on August 30, 2006

Postpostscript

And she pointed out How to clean brass
posted by Sparx at 12:43 PM on August 30, 2006

Metafilter: If you can reach just one person...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:40 PM on August 30, 2006