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7:54:00 AM EDT
Hearing Nothing at the moment -- kid is still asleep
Music to Your Ears
AOL Journaler Viviansullinwank is showing the creativity and imagination we here at AOL Journals really enjoy seeing, by discovering a way to add background music to her Journal (you can hear it by accessing her journal here). If you're interested in learning how to do that yourself, you can see the comment she left for me in this entry. But before you do this, something to keep in mind:
Many people consider background music on Web pages (and Journals) to be rude.
Here's why: First, background music files need to be downloaded into the Journal reader's computer, which takes computer processing cycles and download bandwidth which the reader might not personally choose to commit. This is less of a problem for people with broadband connections, but there are still lots of people on dial-up. Also, if people are performing multiple tasks on their computer, it could slow those tasks down.
Second, if the reader doesn't know a background music file is on the way, having it come out of the speakers could be a not-entirely-welcome surprise. For example, right now I'm writing this while my daughter is still asleep, so I'm being very quiet about being online (she's a little sick, so we're encouraging her to sleep). A music file coming out of nowhere, whose volume I can't control, might wake up my kid. I wouldn't want that. Other people might already be playing music on their computers, so the addition of more music would just create a cacophony (or, depending on the file referenced, might hijack their music player -- which is very rude).
Third -- well, some people just might not have your taste in music. I know! I can't believe it, either.
Does this mean you shouldn't put background music on your AOL Journal? No. It's your Journal. If you want to add background music, go right ahead. However, you might consider giving your readers a choice as to whether to hear the music or not. Include a link in your entry that says "Suggested Background Music," and links to the music file rather than specifying it to play automatically. That way, if they want to share in the music, they can. But if they prefer to read silently, they can do that too. I think that's an inviting alternative.
Written by johnmscalzi Blog about this entry |
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"I visited your journal because it was featured on the AOL Hometown main page. How do you go about getting 'featured'?"
In my case, you get hired by AOL. This is not going to work for everyone, I'm afraid. But I know the editors of AOL Journals are prowling for new Journals to feature. -
I confess to having automatic music on my own page, but it's in direct relationship to the theme, and I never expect anyone other than my family to visit, anyway ;). I visited your journal because it was featured on the AOL Hometown main page. How do you go about getting "featured"?
amblinalong@aol.com -
I agree John! I personally hate it when music starts on pages that I dont choose it...makes things go slower and (lol) the volume is always too loud, which then scares me to death. "Suggested Music" sounds great to me! Good point here John...I knew you were smart! ~Shelli (Day in the life of Shelli P)
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Thanks John. You've raised some very good points that I hadn't considered. I enjoy reading and learning from your blogs. Vivian
11/19/03 12:07 AM