Regardless of how you implement this, I'd advise running away once the money clears. Also make sure they pay *lots* for maintenance on the site. Don't get caught out when they get told by somebody else that their site sucks because it's got music in it. I also wouldn't put such a job in my portfolio, nor put my name on the site in any visible way. You have *your* reputation to consider.
In fact, unless you really need this job, I'd seriously consider walking away. A client that dictates their terms like this is typically far more trouble than they are worth, in my experience. Good luck, L. On 1 March 2010 13:10, James Ellis <james.el...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hi > > Give them all the background information that people have listed here. > WCAG, usability info etc. If they still decide they want it, do as the > client instructs. Make sure you code in a simple off switch configuration > option into the site and when they want to change it, turn it off while > counting to 10 backwards. > Sometimes clients are like that episode of the Simpsons when Bart > repeatedly burns his hand on the stove. > > You could also try doing an A/B test and provide some results to them for > sound / no sound -- traffic, clicks, time on site etc. see: > http://www.usertesting.com/. > > Cheers > James > > > On Mon, Mar 1, 2010 at 11:12 AM, Andrew Cunningham > <andr...@vicnet.net.au>wrote: > >> HI >> >> On 28/02/2010 6:18 PM, Brett Goulder wrote: >> > I would just point your client to some usability articles and educate >> > them why background music is very bad. >> > >> >> although I tend to hate background music, even when it was in vogue way >> back when .... >> >> There are valid accessibility reason for playing sound files on page load. >> >> On one project i'm starting work on we are working with what UNESCO >> tends to refer to as a lesser used language on the internet. >> >> A lot of information needs to presented, but we also need to take into >> account mother language literacy levels, which are quite low in the >> target communities. So need to for usability and accessibility reasons >> to look at non-textual alternatives to textual material. >> >> So options to enable the playing of audio on page load is quite useful. >> >> Doesn't get around that problem of site navigation, maybe sound snippets >> and icons may help, but rendering complex semantics into small icons can >> be difficult if not impossible. >> >> This project has definitely shown me how much the web is mired in a >> literate model, and am stuggling with how to adapt to a model based on >> orality rather than literacy. >> >> >> > My 2 cents would be to just not do it. >> >> for music I'd agree, for other purposes .... >> >> > http://completeusability.com/regrettable-background-music/ >> > >> > >> > >> > Bruce P wrote: >> >> Smalllll player and an off button one can find immediately is a >> >> prerequisite :) >> >> >> >> Bruce >> >> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lesley Lutomski" >> >> <ubu...@webaflame.co.uk> >> >> To: <wsg@webstandardsgroup.org> >> >> Sent: Saturday, February 27, 2010 6:50 AM >> >> Subject: [WSG] Background music on web pages >> >> >> >> >> >>> Hi all, >> >>> >> >>> I apologise if this is off-topic, but I'd really appreciate some >> advice. >> >>> >> >>> I have clients who insist they want background music on their Web >> >>> site. I've tried to dissuade them, but without success. What is the >> >>> most acceptable/least intrusive method of doing this? UK licensing >> >>> requirements differ depending on whether the music is downloadable or >> >>> not, so I need to sort out the method in order to advise them on the >> >>> licences. I'm still hoping the complexities of the licensing system >> >>> will succeed where I've failed and put them off the whole notion, but >> >>> in case not, I'd be most grateful for some input here. >> >>> >> >>> Thank you. >> >>> >> >>> Lesley >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> ******************************************************************* >> >>> List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm >> >>> Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm >> >>> Help: memberh...@webstandardsgroup.org >> >>> ******************************************************************* >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> ******************************************************************* >> >> List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm >> >> Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm >> >> Help: memberh...@webstandardsgroup.org >> >> ******************************************************************* >> > >> > >> > ******************************************************************* >> > List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm >> > Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm >> > Help: memberh...@webstandardsgroup.org >> > ******************************************************************* >> > >> >> -- >> Andrew Cunningham >> Senior Project Manager, Research and Development >> Vicnet >> State Library of Victoria >> 328 Swanston Street >> Melbourne VIC 3000 >> >> Ph: +61-3-8664-7430 >> Fax: +61-3-9639-2175 >> >> Email: andr...@vicnet.net.au >> Alt email: lang.supp...@gmail.com >> >> http://home.vicnet.net.au/~andrewc/<http://home.vicnet.net.au/%7Eandrewc/> >> http://www.openroad.net.au >> http://www.vicnet.net.au >> http://www.slv.vic.gov.au >> >> >> ******************************************************************* >> List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm >> Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm >> Help: memberh...@webstandardsgroup.org >> ******************************************************************* >> > > > ******************************************************************* > List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm > Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm > Help: memberh...@webstandardsgroup.org > ******************************************************************* ******************************************************************* List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: memberh...@webstandardsgroup.org *******************************************************************
