https://github.com/gelso/bigbuttonplay
BigButtonPlay is a simple, senior-friendly tool to interact with YouTube's API. This is an open-source, non-profit project created to help bridge the digital divide and make technology more accessible to more people.
https://github.com/gelso/bigbuttonplay
accessibility assistive-technology digital-inclusion elderly nonprofit open-source seniors simple-ui user-interface youtube
Last synced: 12 months ago
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BigButtonPlay is a simple, senior-friendly tool to interact with YouTube's API. This is an open-source, non-profit project created to help bridge the digital divide and make technology more accessible to more people.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/gelso/bigbuttonplay
- Owner: gelso
- License: other
- Created: 2025-06-17T08:01:55.000Z (12 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2025-06-24T17:08:35.000Z (12 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-06-24T17:24:55.543Z (12 months ago)
- Topics: accessibility, assistive-technology, digital-inclusion, elderly, nonprofit, open-source, seniors, simple-ui, user-interface, youtube
- Language: HTML
- Homepage: http://bigbuttonplay.com/
- Size: 2.05 MB
- Stars: 1
- Watchers: 1
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
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README
# BigButtonPlay
A simple, senior-friendly web application to interact with YouTube's API.
**Designed specifically for older adults and users who are not comfortable with technology.** BigButtonPlay features only 2-3 large, clearly visible buttons to make using YouTube as simple as possible.
This is an **open-source, non-profit project** created to help bridge the digital divide and make technology more accessible to more people.
**🌐 Try it now:** [bigbuttonplay.com](https://bigbuttonplay.com)
## 🔧 Important Setup Information
**Before you start:** To use Google's free YouTube API, a one-time technical setup is required. This configuration step needs to be completed by someone with basic technical knowledge (a family member, friend, or tech-savvy person). A Gmail account is needed to obtain a free YouTube API key, which must then be copied into the website's configuration page; your API key is stored only in your browser (never on our servers). Once configured, the tool becomes completely simple to use for everyone.
- 📧 **Requirement:** Gmail account
- ⏱️ **Time:** 5-10 minutes setup
- 👥 **Who can help:** Family member or tech-savvy friend (one-time assistance)
- 💰 **Cost:** Completely free
## How to Use
**BigButtonPlay is now available as a web application! No downloads required.**
### Quick Start
1. **Visit:** [bigbuttonplay.com](https://bigbuttonplay.com)
2. **Configure:** Set up your YouTube API key (one-time setup, see below)
3. **Choose:** Select your preferred language
4. **Enjoy:** Simple YouTube experience with big, clear buttons!
*Note: More languages coming soon! Currently available:
UN Official Languages - English, Spanish, Chinese, French, Russian, Arabic -
plus additional major languages: Italian, Hindi, Portuguese and German.*
---
## Setup Instructions
BigButtonPlay requires a **free YouTube API key** for operation. This is a **one-time setup** guided by our interactive wizard that enables the app to search YouTube videos.
> **📹 Video Tutorial Coming Soon!**
> We're preparing a step-by-step video guide that walks through this entire setup process. Subscribe to our [YouTube channel @BigButtonPlay](https://www.youtube.com/@BigButtonPlay) to be notified when it's ready!
### Process Overview
#### Quick Start with Setup Wizard
1. **Visit:** [bigbuttonplay.com](https://bigbuttonplay.com)
2. **Click:** "Setup YouTube API Key" button
3. **Follow:** The 4-step guided wizard
4. **Done:** Start using BigButtonPlay immediately!
The interactive wizard will guide you through these 4 simple steps *(details below)*:
```mermaid
flowchart TD
A[Start BigButtonPlay Setup] --> B["Step 1: Create Google Project"]
B --> C["Step 2: Enable YouTube API"]
C --> D["Step 3: Create API Key
+ Add restrictions"]
D --> E["Step 4: Test & Save"]
E --> F[Setup Complete - Start Using!]
style A fill:#e1f5fe
style F fill:#c8e6c9
```
#### Quick Start with Setup Wizard - details
1. **Visit:** [bigbuttonplay.com](https://bigbuttonplay.com)
2. **Click:** The red "⚙️ Setup YouTube API Key" button
3. **Follow:** The 4-step wizard with visual progress bar
4. **Important:** Click the red action buttons in each step, complete the task in the new Google tab, then return and click the gray "Next Step" button
5. **Done:** The wizard tests your API key automatically and you're ready to go!
**Wizard Navigation Tips:**
- 🔴 **Red buttons** = Open Google Cloud Console pages
- ⚫ **Gray buttons** = Move to next step in wizard
- 🟢 **Green button** = Test & save your API key
- ✅ **Progress bar** shows exactly where you are
**Stuck?** See the detailed manual process below.
### Manual Setup (Alternative Method)
If the wizard doesn't work or you prefer manual configuration, follow these detailed steps:
#### Step 1: Create Google Cloud Project
1. Go to [Google Cloud Console](https://console.cloud.google.com/projectcreate)
2. Sign in with your Google account
3. Click "CREATE PROJECT"
4. Project name: "BigButtonPlay-YourName" (or any name you prefer)
5. Click "CREATE" and wait for project creation (~30 seconds)
#### Step 2: Enable YouTube Data API v3
1. Visit [YouTube Data API v3 Library](https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/library/youtube.googleapis.com)
2. Ensure your project is selected at the top
3. Click the blue "ENABLE" button
4. Wait for the API to be enabled
#### Step 3: Create and Restrict API Key
1. Go to [Credentials page](https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/credentials)
2. Click "CREATE CREDENTIALS" → "API key"
3. Copy the generated API key
4. Click "RESTRICT KEY"
5. Under "API restrictions": Select "Restrict key" and choose only "YouTube Data API v3"
6. Click "SAVE"
> **💡 Pro Tip:** Save this Credentials page link - it's YOUR personal API management area! You can return to your page anytime to:
> - View your current API keys
> - Delete old keys if needed
> - Create new keys for BigButtonPlay
#### Step 4: Configure BigButtonPlay
1. Go to [bigbuttonplay.com/config.html](https://bigbuttonplay.com/config.html)
2. Navigate through the wizard to reach the API key input:
- Click "Let's Get Started"
- Click "Project Created, Next Step"
- Click "API Enabled, Next Step"
3. Paste your API key in the input field
4. Click "Test & Save API Key"
5. Choose your language and start using BigButtonPlay!
---
## Important Notes
- ⚠️ **Setup requirement**: Gmail account needed for the free YouTube API key
- 🔒 **Privacy**: Your API key stays in your browser only (never on our servers)
- 💰 **Cost**: Completely free for normal personal use
- 👨👩👧👦 **Family setup**: One tech-savvy person does setup, everyone enjoys simple interface
- 📱 **Cross-device:** Works on computers, tablets, and smartphones
---
## Troubleshooting
- **"API key not valid"**: Ensure you copied the key correctly and YouTube Data API v3 is enabled
- **"Access denied"**: Check that your API key restrictions include only YouTube Data API v3
- **"Quota exceeded"**: You've reached the daily limit - try again tomorrow
---
## 📄 License
This project is licensed under **Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International** (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).
### 🚫 Non-Commercial License
**You MAY:**
- ✅ Use BigButtonPlay for personal purposes
- ✅ Use in educational settings
- ✅ Use in non-profit organizations
- ✅ Modify and improve the code
- ✅ Share with others (under same license)
**You MAY NOT:**
- ❌ Use for any commercial purposes
- ❌ Add advertising or monetization
- ❌ Sell or license to third parties
- ❌ Integrate into commercial products
- ❌ Generate revenue from this software
### Why Non-Commercial?
BigButtonPlay was created specifically to **bridge the digital divide** and make technology accessible to seniors and people with difficulties. It's a **social mission project**, not a commercial product.
See the [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for complete terms.
---