Wikitube Application

Wikitube.io’s minimum viable product has two modes.

Directory Mode

Wikitube’s Directory Mode uses a local copy of Wikipedia’s data as structure and user interface to allow users to search and browse videos.  The functionality is precisely like Wikipedia’s search and browse function except a "plus/minus symbol" or "folder tree triangle" appears next to each link to a different wikipedia article.  

This "plus/minus symbol" or "folder tree triangle" expands to display a list of video thumbnails on a new line from a search term created by concatenating the name of the [current_article + target_article] and contracts to return the article to the original state.

The search, display, look, feel and structure of Wikitube’s Directory Mode should be precisely the same as Wikipedia except for the "plus/minus symbol" or "folder tree triangle" and the expanding, contracting video list that it controls.

Player Mode

When a user selects a video thumbnail it expands into the Player Mode that displays the video and snippet on the left hand column.  To the immediate right are time coded transcripts, which we store locally after a video has been played once in our player.  The timecoded transcripts have links to any Wikipedia Article that is within 5 links of the Wikipedia article the video was selected from. Videos may have been selected from within many articles and those links would be stored in our database.

The look and feel of the Player Mode should have the same look and feel as Youtube other than the transcript player.  The search at the top of the page returns video results just like on Youtube.  The difference of course, is the time coded transcripts with Wikipedia links.  The bott of the “Transcript Window” has two language selectors.  One language selector is for the language the video and transcript are in and the other is for the corresponding language Wikipedia.  The user can select the language of the of transcript (which should use Google Translate to change), they can also change the language of the Wikipedia.

When a user hovers over a Wikipedia link in the transcript, the video stops and the article name and thumbnail appear, if they close it the video automatically restarts.  If they open the wikipedia link, the application opens to Directory Mode at that article.

Wikitube Directory Mode (In Depth)

Wikitube Directory Mode Technical Specification (Revised):

Overview:

1. Wikitube Directory Mode allows users to search and browse videos using a local copy of Wikipedia's data as structure and user interface. It closely resembles Wikipedia's search and browse functionality with the addition of a "plus/minus symbol" or "folder tree triangle" next to each link to a different Wikipedia article, which expands to display a list of video thumbnails.

2. Frameworks:

• Django or Ruby on Rails (open to suggestions)

3. Data Sources:

• Wikipedia API (MediaWiki API) for article data

• YouTube API for video search and thumbnails

4. Features:

4.1. Search and Browse

• Implement a search and browse function similar to Wikipedia

• Use the Wikipedia API (MediaWiki API) to fetch article data

4.2. Plus/Minus Symbol or Folder Tree Triangle

• Add a "plus/minus symbol" or "folder tree triangle" next to each link to a different Wikipedia article

• Expands or contracts to display a list of video thumbnails

4.3. Video Thumbnail List

• Implement a video thumbnail list that appears on a new line when the symbol or triangle is expanded

• Concatenate the name of the current_article and target_article as the search term

• Use the YouTube API to search for videos based on the concatenated search term

• Display the top 5 video thumbnails in a swipe carousel on mobile

• Thumbnails should be served from the video hosting provider (YouTube for the MVP)

• Thumbnails will be stored in the local database along with related video links and snippet data as JSON objects

• Display order should be a combination of YouTube's top searches and the most user-selected videos on the site, with a database interface allowing prioritization of preferred video channels

4.4. User Authentication

• Implement Google Authentication for the Wikitube application

• Share video viewing data and habits with YouTube to improve search results

5. Performance:

• Store as much information as possible in the local database to reduce demand on YouTube services when displaying videos

6. Database:

• Structure the Wikitube database similarly to the Wikipedia software

• Store video thumbnails and related video links, along with snippet data as JSON objects

7. Design:

• Build a responsive design that works on any modern browser, with a focus on iPad and Mobile Safari

• Use lightweight, stable, and mature JavaScript and CSS frameworks

8. Security:

• Follow security best practices and protocols to protect students and vulnerable adults

9. Error Handling:

• Implement slightly comical error messages that explain the application is waiting on the other service and that they are busy

• Consider integrating a chatbot to summarize the videos or articles during longer than expected waits

• Design error handling animations using mid-journey prompts

Questions for further clarification:

1. What specific database management system should be used for the Wikitube database (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL)?

2. Are there any specific requirements for user registration, login, or account management beyond Google Authentication?

3. Do you require any analytics or tracking features for user interactions within the application?

4. What is the desired caching strategy for the application to ensure optimal performance and resource usage?

5. Should there be any support for other video hosting providers beyond YouTube in the future?

6. Do you have any preferences for deployment platforms or strategies (e.g., cloud hosting, containerization)?

7. Are there any specific requirements for internationalization and localization, such as support for multiple languages or regional content?

8. What level of accessibility compliance is required for the application (e.g., WCAG 2.1)?

9. Are there any specific requirements for handling user-generated content or user feedback within the application?

10. Do you have any preferences for

Wikitube Player Mode Technical Specification:

Wikitube Player Mode In Details

Overview:

1. Wikitube Player Mode activates when a user selects a video thumbnail. It displays the video and snippet on the left-hand column, with time-coded transcripts and related Wikipedia links on the right. The mode resembles YouTube, except for the transcript player with Wikipedia links. The search bar at the top returns video results similar to YouTube.

2. Data Sources:

• YouTube API for video streaming and metadata

• Wikipedia API (MediaWiki API) for related article links

• Local database for storing time-coded transcripts

3. Features:

3.1. Video and Snippet Display

• Display the selected video and snippet on the left-hand column

3.2. Time-coded Transcripts

• Store time-coded transcripts locally after a video has been played once in the player

• Display transcripts with links to related Wikipedia articles within 5 links of the source article

• Store video-article association in the local database

3.3. Transcript Player

• Implement a transcript player resembling YouTube, except for the time-coded transcripts with Wikipedia links

3.4. Language Selectors

• Add two language selectors at the bottom of the "Transcript Window"

• One selector is for the video and transcript language, and the other is for the corresponding language Wikipedia

• Allow users to select the language of the transcript (using Google Translate) and the language of the Wikipedia

3.5. Interactive Wikipedia Links

• Pause the video when a user hovers over a Wikipedia link in the transcript

• Display the article name and thumbnail while hovering

• Automatically restart the video if the link is closed

• Open the application in Directory Mode at the target article if the link is clicked

4. Design:

• Maintain the look and feel of YouTube, except for the transcript player with Wikipedia links

Questions for further clarification:

1. Do you have any specific requirements for the video player, such as supporting different video formats or qualities?

2. Should the application support user-specific features, such as saving preferences for languages or transcripts?

3. Are there any legal or ethical considerations for storing time-coded transcripts or using Google Translate for transcript translation?

4. What is the desired behavior if a video or its transcript is no longer available on YouTube or if there are playback issues?

5. Should the application support any additional features for accessibility, such as adjustable font sizes or keyboard navigation for the transcript player?

Wikitube Player Mode Technical Specification (Revised):

Overview:

1. Wikitube Player Mode activates when a user selects a video thumbnail. It displays the video and snippet on the left-hand column, with time-coded transcripts and related Wikipedia links on the right. The mode resembles YouTube, except for the transcript player with Wikipedia links. The search bar at the top returns video results similar to YouTube.

2. Data Sources:

• YouTube API for video streaming and metadata

• Wikipedia API (MediaWiki API) for related article links

• Local database for storing time-coded transcripts

3. Features:

3.1. Video and Snippet Display

• Display the selected video and snippet on the left-hand column

3.2. Time-coded Transcripts

• Store time-coded transcripts locally after a video has been played once in the player

• Display transcripts with links to related Wikipedia articles within 5 links of the source article

• Store video-article association in the local database

3.3. Transcript Player

• Implement a transcript player resembling YouTube, except for the time-coded transcripts with Wikipedia links

3.4. Language Selectors

• Add two language selectors at the bottom of the "Transcript Window"

• One selector is for the video and transcript language, and the other is for the corresponding language Wikipedia

• Allow users to select the language of the transcript (using Google Translate) and the language of the Wikipedia

3.5. Interactive Wikipedia Links

• Pause the video when a user hovers over a Wikipedia link in the transcript

• Display the article name and thumbnail while hovering

• Automatically restart the video if the link is closed

• Open the application in Directory Mode at the target article if the link is clicked

4. Design:

• Maintain the look and feel of YouTube, except for the transcript player with Wikipedia links

• Make the application video-agnostic in the future, supporting different video formats and qualities

5. User-specific Features:

• Prompt users to save their preferences for languages or transcripts after making the same selection twice

• Comply with the TOS for Google Translate and YouTube services

• Store related links to avoid rendering them each time

6. Error Handling:

• Display a notice in red at the bottom if the transcript is no longer available, but still show the Wikipedia links

• Allow admin users to update transcripts, and send improvements to the video hosting provider's transcription team or service

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Accessibility Opportunities:

• Use semantic HTML elements for better content structure and improved SEO

• Implement metadata and schema.org markup for rich snippets and enhanced search result appearance

• Optimize page load times with efficient resource loading and caching strategies

• Use descriptive, keyword-rich title tags and header tags for improved search engine indexing

• Implement descriptive alt text for images and thumbnails for better accessibility and SEO

• Ensure proper use of ARIA attributes and roles for enhanced screen reader support

• Apply WCAG 2.1 guidelines for accessibility, including color contrast, focus indicators, and text resizing options

• Create an XML sitemap and submit it to search engines to improve crawlability

• Implement server-side rendering or static site generation for improved SEO and performance

• Use human-readable URLs and proper URL structure for better indexing and user experience

Questions for further clarification:

1. What is the intended strategy for hosting the application, including considerations for scalability and performance?

2. Should the application support real-time transcript updates while users watch the video, or are updates only allowed after the video finishes?

3. Are there any specific requirements for data retention or data protection, such as GDPR or CCPA compliance?

4. Should there be any features for user engagement, such as comments, reactions, or sharing?

5. Do you have any requirements for generating reports or

Concerns and Opportunities

After reviewing the YouTube and Wikipedia Developer Documentation, here are the notes on API usage, concerns, and opportunities for the Wikitube Player Mode and Wikitube Directory Mode:

API Usage:

1. YouTube API:

• YouTube Data API v3 can be used to fetch video metadata, search results, and user/channel information [2].

• The YouTube IFrame API can be used to embed YouTube videos and control the video player [1].

2. Wikipedia API (MediaWiki API):

• The MediaWiki API can be used to fetch page content, search results, and metadata for the Wikitube Directory Mode [5].

Concerns:

1. API Quotas and Usage Limits:

• YouTube API has a quota of 10,000 units per day for projects enabled after April 20, 2016. Projects enabled before this date have a quota of 50,000,000 units per day [8].

• Wikipedia API does not have specific quota information in the provided search results. However, it is essential to monitor the usage to avoid hitting any potential limits.

2. API Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with YouTube's developer policies, including displaying YouTube Brand Features and proper attribution when using YouTube content [3].

• For Wikipedia API, ensure compliance with the MediaWiki API terms of service when using the API to fetch and display content.

Opportunities:

1. Video and Content Discovery:

• Utilize YouTube's search API to fetch relevant videos for Wikitube Directory Mode and Player Mode, improving the user experience [2].

• Leverage Wikipedia's search API to fetch related articles and improve the linking between transcripts and Wikipedia articles in the Player Mode [5].

2. User Experience Enhancements:

• Use the YouTube IFrame API to control video playback and interact with the video player in the Player Mode, allowing for smoother integration with the transcript player [1].

• Access Wikipedia content using the MediaWiki API to create an immersive browsing experience in the Directory Mode, similar to the native Wikipedia interface [5].

3. Personalization and Engagement:

• Utilize YouTube API to fetch user-specific data, such as viewing history and preferences, to improve content recommendations and user engagement [2].

• Explore opportunities to integrate user-generated content or interactions using both YouTube and Wikipedia APIs, such as comments, reactions, and sharing features.

Wikitube Application is an innovative platform designed to enhance the user experience when browsing and interacting with YouTube videos and Wikipedia content. It aims to provide a seamless integration between these two sources of information, allowing users to easily search, browse, and engage with video and text-based content. The application consists of two main modes: Wikitube Directory Mode and Wikitube Player Mode.

Wikitube Summary

Wikitube Directory Mode:

1. This mode uses a local copy of Wikipedia's data as its structure and user interface, allowing users to search and browse videos. It functions similarly to Wikipedia's search and browse features, with the addition of a "plus/minus symbol" or "folder tree triangle" next to each link to a different Wikipedia article. This symbol expands to display a list of video thumbnails based on a search term created by concatenating the names of the current and target articles and contracts to return the article to its original state.

Wikitube Player Mode:

2. In this mode, when a user selects a video thumbnail, it expands into a video player with the video and snippet on the left-hand column. To the right are time-coded transcripts, which are stored locally after a video has been played once in the player. The transcripts have links to Wikipedia articles that are within five links of the article from which the video was selected. The bottom of the "Transcript Window" has two language selectors for the transcript and the corresponding Wikipedia article. Users can interact with the transcripts and Wikipedia links, and the application transitions back to the Directory Mode when a link is opened.

Functionality and Recommended Technologies:

1. Framework: Django or Ruby on Rails can be ideal for building the application, offering a robust and flexible foundation for both modes.

2. Responsive Design: Create a design that works seamlessly on mobile devices, tablets, and desktops. Lightweight, stable, and mature libraries, such as Bootstrap or Material-UI, can be used for this purpose.

3. JavaScript and CSS Frameworks: Use lightweight, stable, and mature frameworks like React, Vue.js, or Angular for the front-end, and Tailwind CSS or Bulma for styling.

4. Security: Implement best practices and protocols to ensure the safety of users, particularly students and vulnerable adults.

5. API Integration: Utilize the YouTube Data API v3 and IFrame API for video-related features and the MediaWiki API for Wikipedia content integration.

In summary, the Wikitube Application offers a unique way to explore YouTube videos and Wikipedia content simultaneously, providing users with an engaging and informative experience. Using a combination of cutting-edge technologies and seamless API integrations, the application delivers a powerful platform for learning and entertainment.