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Set aside the lame ties, bad aftershave and other dubious gift ideas and deliver what dear old Dad really wants — a laugh or two. On the homepage today we’re sporting a spotlight module dedicated to Father’s Day funnies. We’ve brought together comedians ranging from homegrown YouTube personalities like ShaneDawsonTV and Spricket24 to sketch comedy groups like TotallySketch and TheLandline. There’s also historical humor from the VlogBrothers and the cheeky ventriloquism of JeffDunham. Whatever your taste in comedy, we hope this collection of videos contains something you can forward on to Dad, to let him know how much you mean to him. It won’t cost you a cent. After all, it is the thought that counts — especially if it’s a funny one. Best, Mark Day YouTube Comedy

New Channels Coming Soon
A few months ago, we launched our YouTube channels redesign in beta (first via a secret opt-in URL that many of you discovered, then as a visible opt-in link). Hundreds of thousands of you are now using the new version, have contributed a lot of useful feedback, and have helped make the new channels beta stronger and faster. Here are a few cool examples of great new channel designs: IceflowStudios, Vlogbrothers, nalts, LisaNova, sxephil, ThadewGrum, The White House, and University of Phoenix. We’re now ready to start rolling out the new channels design to more users. Starting today, all new accounts will automatically have the new version of channels. Here’s a video introducing the new channels, the benefits, and how you can get started: Finally, we’d like to give you advance warning that all existing channels will change over to the new design on July 15. (Partners, watch for separate communications about your changeover date.) Want to try it out or start getting ready before July 15? Just click on the “Upgrade my channel!” link on your Channel Design page (and note that you can switch back anytime until July 15). Keep in mind that new channels are still in beta for now, so there may be a few elements missing here and there. If you have questions, please visit our Help Center. Also, we’ve been sharing our progress and gathering feedback from users on a dedicated channels beta blog. Join in if you’re interested in learning more and want more frequent updates on our beta progress — and let us know if there’s anything that you’d like to see added to the new version of channels, too. Thanks! Brian Glick Product Manager The YouTube Team

Announcing Service 2.0: Video Volunteers
Have you ever wanted to volunteer but weren’t able to find an opportunity that felt right? Have you ever considered using your video-creating skills for a cause you care about but didn’t know exactly how to get started? Well, search no more. Starting today, you can become a YouTube Video Volunteer — and we’ll help find you a great nonprofit organization to work with right here on YouTube. Video Volunteers is YouTube’s version of a new platform that Google has launched called All for Good, which helps match citizens with volunteer opportunities in their local communities. Built in partnership with the White House, All for Good is sort of like a Craigslist for community service. But you don’t just have to show up at your local soup kitchen or animal shelter to give back — volunteering in the 21st century can be done entirely online. Powered by All for Good, the YouTube Video Volunteers platform will help you find a nonprofit organization that needs help creating videos to promote its cause. Starting today, you can sift through video opportunities on www.youtube.com/videovolunteers and connect directly with nonprofits for whom you’d like to make a video. Learn more about the platform from the Vlogbrothers, who’ve used their audience and talents to champion causes they care about: The Vlogbrothers aren’t the only familiar faces who are on board to become Video Volunteers. LisaNova made this video, highlighting the fact that there are many nonprofits that need your help: Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, an at-home vlogger, an advertising aficionado, or just someone with a video camera and some spare time on the weekend, we want you to be a Video Volunteer. And if you’re a nonprofit who would like to find a video volunteer, you can visit the Video Volunteers channel for information on how to post a video assignment. We’ll highlight some of the best videos every month on the Video Volunteers channel and beyond, so that your work can help change the world, one video at a time. Yours, Ramya Raghavan YouTube Nonprofits & Activism

Nikon introduces upgraded Capture NX 2 photo editing software
Nikon today introduced the latest generation of its robust image processing and editing software, Capture NX 2, which provides photography enthusiasts with a suite of powerful tools and a simple, visual operation to streamline photo editing. Capture NX 2 utilizes revolutionary U Point technology to give photographers access to powerful Control Points that enhance color, exposure, and other image quality settings quickly and easily.

Nikon’s Small World Contest leads the way
The Pro-Imaging organisation today announced that the Annual Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition, the oldest and most respected of its kind celebrating the world’s best photomicrographers, is now further distinguished by becoming one of the first contests to fully meet the Bill of Rights standards for photography contests as set out by Pro-Imaging.org. This announcement follows an agreement between Pro-Imaging and Nikon Instruments Inc. with regard to fair and respectful terms and conditions for photography contests.

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