Niconico Live FAQ - 4chan Edition - v0

Niconico Live FAQ - 4chan Edition - v0
http://live.nicovideo.jp/

This is a condensed FAQ for the Niconico Live streaming section only.
For more information on anything not covered in this FAQ, please check out:
http://help.nicovideo.jp/live_en/

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GENERAL FAQ
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>What is Niconico Live?

Niconico Live is the live streaming section of the Japanese video website nicovideo.jp, also called Niconico or Nico Nico Douga. This website is essentially the Japanese Youtube.

>Why does this thread exist?

4chan has a history of invading Niconico Live streams and posting lots of English comments, either to the joy or chagrin of the streamer. While this thread stems from these activities, positive interactions are strongly encouraged, and streamers usually appreciate attempts to speak in Japanese.
Posting English comments often requires a disproportionate amount of effort on the part of the streamer, and some streamers may ask for comments in Japanese only. While this can be amusing, they will wind up ignoring you, and you may spoil the stream both for your fellow gaijin and regular viewers. Please be respectful.

>I've never used Niconico before. Anon linked me a video and there's nothing there.

You must create an account to watch videos. Click the yellow "Sign up" or "Create Account" option to create an account and begin watching.

>I'm signed into my account, but there's still no video.

The stream probably ended. Streams end after 30 minutes, unless an extension has been used. Many streamers will have multiple 30-minute sessions in a row, so try looking for their next stream. This is usually posted in the thread as a courtesy, in the case of popular streamers.

>I can't find the next stream.

When viewing a stream, click the "Community Info" tab below it. There you can click "favorite this" to make finding streams easier.

>Everything is in Japanese.

Almost all content on Niconico is created by Japanese, for Japanese. Please do not forget that you are a guest. However, functions such as menus should remain translated for you. If the bar at the top of the page is in Japanese as well, please scroll to the bottom of the page and change "言語" to "English (US)".

>After I post a comment, red text appears with "NG" in it.

Your comment was likely blocked. Please try a different comment.

>How can I be the first to know about a new stream or stream continuation from my favorite streamers?

Nico Live Alert (http://live.nicovideo.jp/alert) is a free program. Input your username and password when you start the program, and it will wait in the taskbar until a stream starts on a community you are following. Then, it will provide a pop-up alert.

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HOW TO COMMENT LIKE A REAL JAP
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(taken from http://ofurotaimu.dreamwidth.org/41632.html with some modifications)

When you join a stream (namahousou), you will most probably encounter these terms/activities:

• waku - This is the "slot" for the stream. People who want to are in a "queue" until they're able to open a broadcast. This is why people say "Wakotsu" (わこつ) or "Waku otsu", literally "good job getting a slot" to the person holding the nama when it starts.

• enquete (アンケート） - This means a survey or poll. This happens when several numbered options suddenly appears on the screen and you're made to choose which you like the most. Not all streamers have the ability to hold a formal survey so sometimes, they use a vote of hands. When you're asked to raise your hand for your opinion, you can do a ノ　for "yes" or a "wave" and ヘ　for "no".

• shoken (初見) - This means "first time listener" or "newbie". When you enter some small streams, you'll often see "shoken welcome!" which means they welcome newcomers. It's common courtesy to announce yourself as a newbie （初見です。）　when you listen to a streams for the first time.

• kotehan (コテハン) - This means "handle name". When you're new and you're in a small stream, you'll often be asked for your handle name so they'll know how to address you and can recognize your comments easily. You can set this by commenting @[nickname]. For instance, @gaijin will set your handle as "gaijin" for the streamer.

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GENERAL DICTIONARY OF COMMON NND TERMS
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http://ex.nicovideo.jp/translator_info