I recently received an E-mail from somebody who wanted to ask me about if they should or shouldn’t place sound on their Web site. Now we all know it is possible, because we have all been on a Web site before that has had the midi that will not stop on it. So what do I have to say? Just say no to sound in your Web site design.

I hate having sounds embedded into Web sites I am visiting. This isn’t as much of a problem as it was during my first few years on the Web. Back a few years ago, you couldn’t turn around without hearing a midi version of some pop song on a personal Web site. It was new, it was cool, and yes, it was over done.

If anybody wants my opinion, I would say just do not do it at all. I don’t care how cool it might be or how much you paid for it to be included into your flash header. I hate it and I hate it with a passion.

If you do insist on doing it, at least leave me a little control. I want a place, easy to find, where I can turn it off quickly. Don’t leave it hidden within the Web page’s HTML with no way of turning it off. Instead of turning my speakers off several times a day, I’ll just stop going to the Web site. Something tells me I am not the only person who feels this way.

So should you place sound in a Web site’s design? Mitch says no! However I am sure there is somebody out there who will come up with a good reason for it being there. If so, let me know and try to change my mind about it. If you are up for the challenge, give it a shot. I doubt I will be changing my mind on this anytime soon though.

If you want somebody to blame for my hate, blame the dancing hamsters.