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10 Hidden How-To Video Websites for DIY Projects

September 13, 2010
10 Hidden How-To Video Websites for DIY Projects

The Significance of "How-To" Content

A considerable portion of online content creation is driven by the demand for instructional guides. Without the phrase "how-to," many helpful posts might never have been created.

How-to instructional video platforms significantly enhance the self-learning experience. Users benefit from the ability to replay, accelerate, or pause video instructions, facilitating a thorough understanding of processes.

This is particularly valuable; individuals can learn practical skills ranging from basic tasks like dicing an onion to more complex repairs, such as fixing an iPod. The potential extends even to assisting older generations with new technologies.

Popular and Emerging How-To Video Resources

The proliferation of how-to video websites has provided a wealth of information. Well-known platforms like YouTube, Metacafe, and Instructables lead the way.

However, beyond these prominent sites, a number of lesser-known, yet valuable, how-to tutorial websites exist. These resources offer alternative perspectives and specialized instruction.

Below is a curated list of ten such platforms worth exploring. Each provides a unique approach to visual learning.

  • Discover alternative methods for learning new skills.
  • Expand your knowledge base with specialized tutorials.
  • Find resources beyond the mainstream video platforms.

These platforms empower users to acquire knowledge and skills independently, fostering a culture of continuous learning.

WonderHowTo: A Comprehensive Guide

WonderHowTo.com functions as a dedicated search engine specifically for "how-to" content. The platform meticulously searches and catalogs a vast collection of video tutorials and helpful tips sourced from various locations on the internet.

Content Focus and Qualification

For a video to be included on WonderHowTo, it must demonstrably aim to educate viewers. The core criterion is whether a user can successfully complete a task independently after viewing the instructional video.

Content is organized into numerous categories, ensuring easy navigation and discovery of relevant tutorials.

Community Features and User Engagement

Users are encouraged to participate in the Community section of the website. Registration allows individuals to explore content, curate personalized playlists, and contribute their own instructional videos.

Monetization Opportunities

WonderHowTo provides a pathway for content creators to earn revenue. By submitting high-quality, instructional videos, users have the potential to be compensated for their contributions.

The platform’s strength lies in its focused approach to DIY and instructional video content, making it a valuable resource for learners of all levels.

MonkeySee

Are you aware of the necessary steps to prepare for a hurricane? If not, instructional videos on MonkeySee can provide valuable guidance. The platform features a diverse collection of how-to videos across numerous categories.

Expert-Led Instructions

These videos are created by professionals in their respective fields. MonkeySee distinguishes itself by offering concise biographical information about the experts presenting the instructions.

This allows viewers to assess the credentials of the individual providing the guidance. MonkeySee aims to deliver reliable and trustworthy DIY and informational content.

  • The site covers a broad spectrum of topics.
  • All videos are designed to be easily understood.
  • Expert profiles enhance user confidence.

Whether you're tackling a home repair or learning a new skill, MonkeySee provides accessible and informative video tutorials. The platform’s focus is on practical, real-world knowledge delivered by qualified instructors.

Trick Life

While Trick Life may not boast the most visually appealing design compared to other platforms, its value lies in its extensive library of instructional videos.

A User-Driven Resource

The how-to videos available on Trick Life are primarily submitted by its user community. This collaborative approach results in a diverse range of content.

Broad Categorization

The DIY videos are organized into several categories, ensuring easy navigation for users seeking specific guidance. These include:

  • Computing: Tutorials related to software, hardware, and digital skills.
  • Crafts: Instructions for various handmade projects.
  • Electronics: Guides on building and repairing electronic devices.
  • Hobbies: Demonstrations and tips for a wide array of pastimes.
  • Entertainment: Videos focused on recreational activities.
  • Lifestyle: Content covering everyday living and personal improvement.
  • And more.

The breadth of these categories makes Trick Life a versatile resource for individuals interested in learning new skills or tackling DIY projects.

Mindbites: A Platform for Learning and Instruction

Mindbites functions as an online marketplace dedicated to the creation and sale of instructional video content. Consequently, a majority of the videos available on the platform are offered for purchase.

While many lessons require payment, Mindbites also provides complimentary preview lessons. Furthermore, a substantial library of free videos is accessible to all users.

Content Categories Available

The video tutorials hosted on Mindbites encompass a diverse range of subjects. These include:

  • Business: Instructional videos focused on professional development and entrepreneurial skills.
  • Language & Travel: Resources for language acquisition and travel-related knowledge.
  • Children & Parenting: Guidance and tutorials for parents and caregivers.
  • DIY Projects: A wide array of videos covering various do-it-yourself activities and crafts.

Beyond these core areas, the platform features instructional content spanning numerous other practical skills and hobbies. The breadth of topics makes Mindbites a versatile resource for lifelong learning.

Graspr

Graspr is an instructional video platform that curates a substantial library of videos. It features over 20,000 carefully selected videos, organized into 19 distinct categories.

Content Categories

The platform covers a wide range of subjects, extending from Arts & Crafts to practical guidance on Home Improvement. Those interested in technology will find the Consumer Electronics section particularly appealing.

Interactive Features

Users are able to create accounts and enhance their learning experience. This includes the ability to add personal notes directly to videos.

These notes can then be easily shared with other users, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Key Features

  • Scene: This feature allows viewers to quickly navigate to the most relevant segments within a video.
  • Collections: Related videos are grouped together into curated Collections for convenient access.

Graspr’s Scene functionality enables direct access to the portions of a video that are of greatest interest. Furthermore, videos with similar themes are organized into Collections.

Common Craft

Common Craft isn't solely a traditional 'how-to' resource. It provides concise and easily digestible video explanations that would typically necessitate extensive reading.

These videos distinguish themselves through a unique presentation style, employing paper cut-outs to illustrate both the process and the underlying rationale.

Accessibility and Learning

The instructional videos aren't intended for complete beginners. However, even experienced individuals can benefit from the way these resources simplify complex concepts.

Unfamiliar with Augmented Reality? Common Craft offers a clear explanation. The platform organizes its content into four primary categories:

  • Green
  • Money
  • Society
  • Technology

Usage and Availability

The videos are available for individual purchase, allowing users to utilize them for personal learning or within their organizations.

This provides a flexible option for integrating these simplified explanations into various educational or professional contexts.

Teacher Tube

Teacher Tube functions as an internet-based resource for instructional videos, specifically designed to serve the needs of students, educators, and academic institutions.

A defining characteristic of the platform is its commitment to educationally relevant content; all videos hosted are aligned with learning objectives.

A Resource for Educators

Teacher Tube provides a valuable space for teachers to develop and share concise video lessons. These videos are intended to enhance and complement traditional teaching methods.

The platform empowers educators to create supplemental learning materials easily accessible to their students.

Offline Access

A key feature of Teacher Tube is the ability to download videos. This functionality allows for convenient offline viewing, expanding access to educational resources.

This download option is particularly useful in environments with limited or unreliable internet connectivity.

Teacher Tube stands as a dedicated platform for educational video content, offering both a resource for students and a tool for teachers.

WatchKnow

WatchKnow is a valuable resource for instructional videos, building upon the foundation of educational how-to content available online.

This platform curates a substantial collection of 19,185 videos. Sources include sites like the previously mentioned platform, alongside YouTube, SchoolTube, and GoogleVideo.

Categorization and Organization

All videos are meticulously organized within a directory structure exceeding 3,000 categories. This allows for precise searching and discovery of relevant content.

As an example, the 'Life Skills' category is further divided into subcategories. These include topics such as Leadership, Manners and Etiquettes, Confidence, Coping with Loss, and Clothing & Wardrobe.

User Experience

The website boasts a well-designed interface, enhancing the user experience. A particularly useful feature is the age filter, which refines video search results.

Due to its effective design and comprehensive video library, WatchKnow is a site worthy of being saved as a bookmark for future reference.

A Guide to Utilizing a Now-Inactive Resource

A previously accessible resource operated as a specialized Google Custom Search engine. It featured a unique, though somewhat challenging to recall, web address.

Functionality of the Search Engine

This custom search tool was designed to aggregate instructional video tutorials. These videos were sourced from websites already indexed within Google’s search database.

Consequently, it functioned as a convenient alternative to standard Google searches. Users could bypass extensive browsing by leveraging this focused search.

The primary benefit was a streamlined approach to finding DIY and how-to video content online.

It provided a direct pathway to relevant video resources, eliminating the need to sift through numerous unrelated search results.

WatchDoIt

WatchDoIt functions as a comprehensive platform, aggregating how-to videos from across the internet alongside its own internally hosted content.

This dual approach provides users with a broad spectrum of resources covering a vast array of DIY video categories.

Notably, the site even features instructional videos on the subject of Politics.

User Contributions

Following a straightforward, complimentary registration process, users are empowered to contribute their own how-to videos to the platform.

The Value of Knowledge Sharing

The existence of these ten, relatively unknown how-to websites serves as compelling evidence of a widespread desire to share expertise and unique skills.

This collaborative spirit represents one of the most significant benefits of the internet.

If you possess a skill you wish to impart, creating a how-to video and disseminating it online is a valuable contribution.

We also welcome recommendations for any undiscovered DIY video websites that deserve wider recognition.

Image: kodomut

#DIY#how-to videos#DIY projects#tutorials#home improvement#repairs