Understanding Stickam

With the advent of the World Wide Web, the phrase 'look ma, I'm on TV' is becoming a thing of the past. The Internet has revolutionized communication, fostering new friendships and challenging traditional industries like publishing and broadcasting. In the past, getting on camera was often a matter of luck, but now anyone with a webcam and fast Internet can share live video content online.

Platforms like YouTube and Vimeo allow users to upload pre-recorded videos. Creators can film, edit, and upload their content, waiting for audiences to view it. While this was a major breakthrough, one challenge remained: live streaming.

Initially, streaming live video on the Web demanded costly and complex resources. However, forward-thinking Internet entrepreneurs recognized the potential for a new type of service. Initially aiming to create a video Web conferencing system, they gradually saw the opportunity to build an online social network centered around live video streaming.

Stickam.com is one of the platforms that emerged from this vision, alongside others like blog.tv, Justin.tv, and Ustream.tv, all offering similar services. These sites blend live video and social networking to varying degrees, allowing users to create their own programs and shows. Some individuals take it to the extreme, sharing nearly every moment of their day in a practice known as lifestreaming.

Stickam isn't just for everyday users; educational institutions have utilized it to stream press conferences to students. Bands like MxPx have used it to broadcast live performances. With Stickam, individuals, bands, and organizations can reach a broad audience without significant financial investment.

The Stickam Account

You can access some Stickam live streams without an account by simply visiting the website to browse public feeds. However, Stickam members have the option to restrict access to their video streams. To unlock more features, you'll need to create an account.

To set up a new account, you'll need to provide a username, a valid email address, and a password. Additionally, you'll be asked to specify your gender and birthdate. Stickam requires users to be at least 14 years old. Double-check your details before proceeding, as once your account is created, you cannot modify your gender or birthday. Finally, you'll complete a CAPTCHA to confirm you're not a bot flooding the site with spam.

After you've registered, Stickam will send a confirmation email to the address you provided. To activate your account, click the link inside the message or paste it into your browser. If you don't confirm within seven days, your account will be canceled. Once confirmed, Stickam may prompt you to invite friends to join the platform.

Once your account is set up, Stickam will offer you several options. If you have a webcam ready, you can start streaming live video immediately. You can also explore other video streams, upload pre-recorded media, join group discussions on specific topics, or invite friends to join. Alternatively, you can complete your profile information.

Your Stickam profile will resemble those on other social networks. You can add details about yourself, upload a profile picture, and adjust your account settings as needed.

Now that we've covered user accounts, it's time to dive into the world of streaming video!

Live Streaming Video

Services like Stickam make it easy to broadcast with a webcam, but the process itself involves several steps. Here's a brief overview of how Stickam delivers live streaming video.

The journey begins with your video source. Suppose you've written a song and want to share it with the world. Start by setting up your webcam and logging into Stickam. Then, choose to go live and activate your camera feed.

Next, your webcam transmits the video feed through your internet connection to Stickam. Stickam encodes the feed into a streamable format. The platform's servers then send the encoded video to anyone watching your Stickam feed. The video player in each viewer's browser decodes the data and converts it back into video format for display.

You can adjust your video settings when going live to accommodate your connection speed. If you're experiencing lag or other issues, selecting a lower-quality setting will reduce the video player's size on your account and lower the frame rate.

If viewers have their own cameras active, their video will appear in your profile window as well. They'll also be able to see each other in the chat space. As the host, you have the option to mute users or allow them to speak. If you'd rather be the focus, you can mute everyone and deliver a solo presentation, or you can encourage a lively discussion by creating a group chat around a topic.

Stickam Features

The core of Stickam revolves around live video streaming. Similar to how a TV station broadcasts to televisions, Stickam allows you to stream video content on the Web. But what sets it apart is the ability to interact with other users, transforming Stickam into an experience far beyond traditional TV viewing.

Users on Stickam can create chat or debate rooms and invite others to participate. The creator of the room becomes the administrator and has full control over the settings. Administrators can choose to make the room open for anyone or secure it with a password.

Chat rooms can accommodate over 100 participants at once. Up to 12 members can share their video feed in the window. Those who aren't in the top 12 or don't have a camera or microphone can still interact by typing comments in the chat area.

The administrator has the authority to manage who can speak and can remove participants from the room if needed. Stickam also allows administrators to appoint moderators to help manage larger, more popular rooms.

You can subscribe to other users on Stickam. This gives you the option to receive notifications via email, SMS, or AOL Instant Messenger when they go live and start broadcasting.

Artists, actors, journalists, writers, and bands have used Stickam to build a loyal following and engage with their fans. This gives viewers the opportunity to connect with their favorite personalities in real time.

Stickam Privacy Settings and Terms of Service

Web analytics firms such as Alexa and Quantcast report that the majority of Stickam users are between the ages of 13 and 34, with just over half of them being male. These demographics have led some to label Stickam as the go-to live streaming platform for young people looking to socialize online.

By creating an account, users agree to Stickam's terms of service, which outline rules regarding acceptable content. The terms prohibit activities like fraud, harassment, spreading malware, and streaming content that is deemed indecent or obscene, though the terms don't specify exactly what qualifies as such.

The terms also seek to free Stickam from any supervisory obligations. Under its parental control guidelines, Stickam declares that "AVC cannot be held responsible for any Content Posted by Stickam users which may be offensive, indecent or objectionable" [source: Stickam]. Even though Stickam's rules prohibit such content, it can be hard to enforce them, especially when live streaming is part of the equation.

The AVC mentioned previously is Stickam's parent company, Advanced Video Communications. This company also runs a service called PayPerLive, where Stickam members can charge other users for access to their live streams. While the age requirement for Stickam is 14, users must be at least 18 to use the PayPerLive service.

Stickam strictly forbids broadcasting content for which users do not have the appropriate rights. Essentially, streaming movies or music without owning the copyright is prohibited. Stickam will notify users who breach this rule and may even delete their account. Additionally, users aren't allowed to monetize their Stickam profiles, except by subscribing to PayPerLive.

Stickam Controversies

Stickam's terms of service have failed to quell the criticism aimed at the platform. In 2007, The New York Times reported that a former executive revealed the owner of Stickam's parent company also ran a business providing adult content online. The executive claimed both companies shared office space, equipment, and even staff to operate their separate businesses.

Stickam's leadership has confirmed that Wataru Takashi, a Japanese entrepreneur, owns AVC, Stickam's parent company, as well as several companies producing adult content. However, they have denied any connection between the two ventures.

Regardless of any controversy surrounding Stickam's ownership, users should be mindful that not all content on the site is suitable for all audiences. Stickam's open platform allows members to stream unfiltered video to others, and while displaying inappropriate content is against the rules, enforcement is lax. If no one reports the violation, it may go unchecked.

In an interview with Beet.TV, Stickam's program director Andy Wombwell stated that the site boasts over 4.5 million members. Monitoring such a large user base is a monumental task, so Stickam depends on its community to report and address abuse.

Despite the controversies, Stickam continues to be a popular online destination. While some users may push the boundaries of acceptable content, the majority use the platform as intended.

Platforms like Stickam have made it simpler than ever for people to create content or simply hang out online. As broadband internet becomes more accessible, services like Stickam will continue to attract more users. Who knows? In the future, you might skip the phone call and catch up with your friends face-to-face on the web instead.

Discover more about social networking and streaming video on the following page.