Linux on YouTube
Current State of Linux YouTube Content
What is the state of Linux content on YouTube? This loaded question becomes more interesting when I ask and answer it myself. In this post, I’ll delve into the pros and cons of Linux content (and creators). While I specifically mention Linux content, these observations are applicable to any topic. Despite not being a prominent channel and having a relatively short history on YouTube, I’ve spent enough time as a creator to look through my small window at the YouTube Linux content landscape. The view leaves me feeling a bit underwhelmed and, dare I say, disappointed. Before you click away from this post in frustration, let me provide a few reasons, in ascending order of importance, to help clarify my opinion. Perhaps you’ll find agreement, understanding, or maybe you’ll completely disagree and harbor a forever-lasting hatred. The possibilities are endless.### Point 1 - Types of Videos (least)
Before I get started with this, I just want to make sure you are all aware that I am not trying to attack, accuse, or belittle any of the Linux YouTube channels out there, and I am also not attempting to put myself on a pedestal or trying to make my channel out to be perfect, it is far from it. That being said, let me explain.
Point 1 - Types of Videos
I’ve got this concern about the Linux content on YouTube—it’s like everyone’s caught up in this loop, you know? I get it; there’s a finite amount to explore with Linux, but here’s the kicker: about 5% (just a ballpark figure, not official) of the content out there is fixated on this narrow slice.
Linux is more than just distros, but it feels like most creators are honing in on that. I get it; distro videos are a magnet for clicks, but let’s be honest—they can be a bit of a snooze. There’s a whole array of intriguing topics to delve into, and I’m hoping creators start venturing beyond the usual. Let’s inject some variety into the scene, you know?
Point 2 - Disingenuousness
This one is a big pet peeve of mine, I can’t stand clickbait titles, or flip flop titles, or “I’m not a fanboy” videos, I know the point of most channels is to get clicks and clickbait helps with that, but in my personal opinion, this is no different than being dishonest or misleading. Titling a video with phrases like “Things you must do” or “Why you need…” is preying on the uninformed or those new to the topic. Along the same line as clickbait comes the flip flop videos. Flip flop videos are those that make one claim to get the clicks from those on one side of a topic, then another video comes out that makes the opposite claim to get the clicks from those on the other side of the topic, this does nothing but give the impression that you are untrustworthy or unreliable. Lastly the content that is an obvious attempt to downplay the topic so the creator can say they are not just a fanboy. This one I understand a little more and I don’t take issue with pointing out flaws, but a lot of these are not well thought out and just point out the same things that come up in a google search, there is little thought put into real issues with the topic or program the video is about and just some generic downsides are spewed to give the appearance of being unbiased.
Point 3 - Ego (tied for most)
I was on the fence with this one because it is more the person making the content than the content itself, but I figured I would include it. I understand the idea of thousands of people if not tens or hundreds of thousands of people watching content you created, commenting, liking, and sharing can give rise to pride and ego so I will tread carefully with this. I have followed several channels on YouTube that started out small (like they all do) but continued to grow, whether fast or slow, and now are large or extremely large. Within those channels I have noted two different responses, first there are those who stayed humble, they appreciate all the viewers and comments and understand that they would not be where they are without the viewers and subscribers. Second there are those who let it all go to their head. These are the ones who refuse to respond to comments, or just throw a “thank you” or something similar out to a few comments to make it look like they are appreciative