Web Audio (or Not)?

Web audio -- is it cool? In many cases, absolutely yes. In many other cases, absolutely not. If you have something to say, web audio can be a compelling way to get the message accross. But if you use web audio technology to say what you're going to say without asking folks if they want to hear it ... watch out. It's all about having permission to speak.

P E R M I S S I O N ...

Why do webmasters forget the wise old adage we all had hammered into our heads back when we were kids?

Do Not Speak Until Spoken To

Maybe it sunk in with some and didn't with others.

How many times have you hit a website only to be bombarded with an audio assault? It's almost as if the webmasters (or even worse, advertisers) have forgotten their manners.

Blaring a snippet of Flash-enabled web audio into the visitor's ears without invitation is downright rude.

The kicker is that it's never been easier to add web audio to a site. Record your piece, insert some code, and bingo ... you've insulted your audience ... if you go about it the wrong way, that is.

Would you be so quick to poke them in the eye with a pointy stick?

There's a simple solution, kids. Consider it a wise new adage:

Don't set your web audio to autoplay.