Totlol is a community-moderated video web application designed for kids (and their parents).

Totlol was developed, and is operated, by Ron an independent web developer and father of two from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Important small print note: Totlol is powered by YouTube using the YouTube API. The Totlol website, web applications and general setup have been specifically adapted to meet YouTube terms of service and thus may not provide optimal user experience to all. Read the story.

Starting July, 2009 users of Totlol are expected to become members by paying membership fees when requested. Fees are $3 a month, $18 a year or $54 till the kids grow up.

Critical BIG print note:

Totlol membership fees are paid for being a member. That's it. They are not paid for a specific ability or site function and they provide you with no guarantees whatsoever. All fees paid are non-refundable.

Totlol is powered by the YouTube API. It should be clear to you as a Totlol member that the charges are levied by Totlol and not by YouTube. YouTube does not charge users for accessing YouTube site functionality through the YouTube APIs. YouTube didn't create Totlol, YouTube is merely an agnostic platform provider to Totlol.

Age-Optimized interfaces enable kids of different ages to interact with the site and the video content in different ways.

Activating the Parent Lock activates the Age-Optimized interfaces if the AgeOptimnizer is set to any age group between Toddler and Tween.

The interfaces designed for younger ages are simpler to operate than those for older ages. Each provides access to videos that are also optimized for the selected age group.

Read More...

• September, 2009
  Age Optimized Interfaces introduced. They enable kids of different ages to interact with the site, and the video content in different ways. Read more.
  
  
• August, 2009
  Auto Suggest for the Search Box with direct access.
  
  
• July, 2009
  Membership introduced.
  
  
• June, 2009
  Drama. Site setup "broken" to separate audiovisual content from advertising, sponsorships, or promotions; and to meet YouTube terms of service. Things evolved this way, that way and finally this way.
  
  
• May, 2009
  Upgrades. Singup and Login with YouTube account, login not required for iPhone Web App, users act as guides and more.
  
  
• April, 2009
  Totlol comes to the iPhone and iPod Touch becoming an Apple Featured Web App. Totlol is a Webby Awards Offical Honoree.
  
  
• March, 2009
  More content with TotlolBot scouting YouTube and more ways to watch it with Play as Collection feature. Read more.
  
  
• January, 2009
  Personalization enhanced with OAuth linked YouTube accounts and streamlined moderation process. Also colorful themes and more.
  
  
• October, 2008
  AgeOptimizer introduced. It algorithmically optimizes the site to make content for the requested age group more visible. Also added unified search and more.
  
  
• September, 2008
  "Official Beta". Major features include a resizable player, continuously playing collections the "Parent Lock" and more.
  
  
• July, 2008
  Google Code Featured Project.
  
  
• May, 2008
  First version of Totlol is available for early testing. Introduces the concepts of community participation and video pre-screening.
  
  

Why Totlol?

Online video is a great new experience and many parents found out that their kids can discover a whole new world via the computer screen. So they head to the leading video websites.

Most video websites are designed for adults. They were not designed for children under the age of 13.

This means that while they hold great content for all ages, including children, it is mixed with content that is not so great. They provide no way to filter anything that may be inappropriate for kids and they provide very limited tools to find what is appropriate and relevant.

This is where Totlol steps in.

Totlol is specifically designed to handle the classic dilemma of online children content - how to block the "bad stuff" while not limiting the ability to find the and enjoy the "good stuff".

All videos available at Totlol are intended to be enjoyed by kids. At the same time Totlol filters the "bad videos" it also eliminates most of the frustration involved in looking for "good videos". Parents and kids can thus focus on "how interesting" instead of "if relevant" and on "how likable" instead of "is appropriate".

How is Totlol different?

Most other websites that are designed for the young, are designed as "Walled Gardens". They use a very limited selection and are very restrictive. As far as content is concerned, parents play a passive role.

Totlol is different.

Totlol is based on parent participation and community moderation.

It is set up in a way that enables parents to access all videos available on YouTube, while letting them screen and weed out "bad videos" before they reach the eyes of their children. The resulting Totlol selection is appropriate, relevant and unrestrictive.

Totlol thus creates an environment in which parents and kids can safely and easily enjoy all that is good about online video without worrying about all that is not.

The community moderation process has three parts: scouting, submitting and screening.

1. Scouting

When scouting parents search the YouTube database via a Totlol interface.

The scouting interface lets parents search and watch videos just as they used to do on YouTube.

When they find a video that they think is appropriate and relevant they can choose to submit it.

2. Submitting

When submitting parents are asked to review the title and tags associated with the video and to provide a review of the content.

They are also asked to specify the main language of the video, what age group may enjoy it most and categorize it.

This information, together with the original YouTube information is presented at screening.

3. Screening

The screening part of the process is where the community plays the most significant role.

Each Totlol user is invited to screen videos submitted by others and to answer screening questions.

These answers are combined with various other data signals to grade each video.

No audiovisual content will play unless you join.
Having said that, Totlol has a lot more to offer.

Enhanced Viewing Options

Users can play collections continuously just like they would play a DVD. This way kids can watch without close supervision and without touching the mouse/keyboard.

Registered users can use a resizable player with three size options that also determine how much other information is on screen with the player.

When viewing videos, registered users are presented with a list of collections to which the video belong. They can switch with one click from viewing a single video to viewing the collection to which it belongs.

Personalization

Registered users have a set of personalization options that include a list of favorite videos, a list of subscribed collections and setting a default language.

They can also build their own "Block List", if there is something specific they do not want their children viewing or change the interface color if they so desire.

Linking Youtube Accounts

Registered users can link their Totlol account to their YouTube account and establish an authenticated and secured connection between Totlol's' web server and YouTube's' web server. The two servers can then communicate on their behalf.

Linking accounts enables registered users to play all their videos via the Totlol interface including private ones. Access to private videos is reserved to them only by YouTube's server.

Follow other users as guides

Registered users can follow other users as guides to new, relevant and interesting videos. The videos submitted, watched and favored by a user's guides as well as the collections they create and subscribe to are available in automatically updated lists.

Participation

Registered users can participate in the community moderation. They can submit videos they like their kids to watch and they can screen those submitted by others. They can also rate videos and comment on videos or collections.

To further enhance their own kids viewing options and that of the community in general, registered users can create collections of their own using videos they submitted as well as those submitted by others.

Parental Tools

Registered users have access to a Parent Lock that "locks" out all participation features and all outgoing links. Using this option parents can let older kids use Totlol without close supervision and with no "off limits" temptations.


Advanced Options let parents decide what interface features are accessible when the Parent Lock is activated and how video blocking is performed.

And last, but not least, Totlol's AgeOptimizer algorithmically optimizes the site to a requested age group.

Registration is simple and free. Users are expected to become a members by paying membership fees when requested.

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