| How many times have you read in an online | | | | can mean the difference between a two-week |
| forum or a web design tutorial that embedded | | | | vacation in Cancun and a day trip to the |
| midi (Musical Instrumental Digital Interface) | | | | local water park.The real problems with |
| files are "bad"? Probably more times than | | | | embedded midi files arise when webmasters do |
| you care to remember. For the most part, | | | | not give their visitors any control over the |
| embedded sound files of any kind have been | | | | sounds emanating from their web pages. Most |
| categorized as web site "bling-bling", right | | | | people become frustrated and annoyed when |
| along side animated gifs, flashing banners | | | | they are forced to listen to music that they |
| and complex frames layouts. Essentially, | | | | cannot shut off at leisure. Using the |
| they just contribute to unnecessary glitz and | | | | example above, I imagine that even John and |
| clutter that does nothing more than distract | | | | Jane would be getting pretty annoyed around |
| visitors and significantly slow page download | | | | the 10th time the background music loops as |
| times.There is historical justification for | | | | they are still trying to decide between the |
| this stereotype, as many beginning webmasters | | | | granite and the obsidian plaque.The IE |
| tend to go overboard with the bells and | | | | browser makes it a bit easier in cases like |
| whistles on their first web design attempts. | | | | this because the toolbar stop button is |
| This is just part of the learning process and | | | | capable of stopping midi play, along with |
| should not be judged too harshly.With all the | | | | page download and all other animation, of |
| bad press that embedded midi files get, some | | | | course. However, other browsers like Mozilla |
| of the more accomplished web designers tend | | | | Firefox that have to rely on a QuickTime or |
| to avoid using them. This is unfortunate, | | | | other third party plug-ins do not have this |
| because if implemented and managed properly, | | | | luxury. If the site designer does not supply |
| midi files can add benefit to some types of | | | | a control console of some type, the visitors |
| web sites, both for the visitors and the web | | | | are held prisoner and will likely escape at |
| site owners. In fact, I'm going to go as far | | | | the first chance they get.There is no voodoo |
| as to say that an appropriately implemented | | | | involved with displaying a midi console on a |
| midi file can actually drive more traffic and | | | | web page. The basic EMBED code is fairly |
| even increase sales! Sound fishy? Maybe so, | | | | standard. You've probably seen or used |
| but just hear me out.The key to using a midi | | | | something similar to this in the past:< EMBED |
| file effectively is to help create a desired | | | | SRC="filename.mid" HIDDEN="false" |
| mood in conjunction with the color scheme, | | | | AUTOSTART="true" VOLUME="60" height="25" |
| graphics, and layout of a given web page. | | | | width="200" LOOP="true" >The trick is getting |
| Let me give you an example.Let's pretend that | | | | the darn console to display properly across |
| John and Jane have just lost their precious | | | | all browsers using different plug-ins. The |
| little Maltese of 12 years to kidney failure. | | | | embed statement shown above, for example, |
| They are surfing the Web, looking for a | | | | will not display properly in Firefox or |
| perfect pet memorial to celebrate the life of | | | | Netscape using the QuickTime plug-in.I have |
| their dear friend. They have narrowed their | | | | had decent success implementing midi consoles |
| search to your site 'A' and a competitor site | | | | using BGSOUND with the following javascript. |
| 'B'. Site 'B' has a professional looking | | | | I make no guarantees, but I've seen this work |
| site, reasonable prices, adorable pictures of | | | | in the newer Firefox and Netscape browsers |
| other pets whose owners have bought from and | | | | using the QuickTime plug-in as well as in IE |
| recommend them, and detailed descriptions and | | | | with QuickTime or Windows Media |
| images of the various memorials. It almost | | | | Player.x="midifilename.mid"; |
| brings a tear to your eye. Almost.Now, your | | | | |
| site 'A' has comparable professionalism, | | | | document.write('< NOEMBED >< BGSOUND |
| prices, emotional design, etc., but in | | | | SRC="'+x+'" AUTOSTART=true LOOP=true >< |
| addition, you've included an embedded midi | | | | NOEMBED >< EMBED SRC="'+x+'" WIDTH=200 |
| file that plays a sad little, heart-tugging, | | | | HEIGHT=45 AUTOSTART=true LOOP=true > ')Don't |
| piece of music in the background. Those eyes | | | | be afraid to experiment. If you have an |
| that were almost ready to tear up at your | | | | existing web site or are in the process of |
| competitor's site now start watering full | | | | building one that you think might benefit |
| tilt as the background music helps them | | | | from a bit of midi psychology, then track |
| remember all the wonderful times they had | | | | down an appropriate file and give it a whirl. |
| with their pup. Who do you think they're | | | | You may be pleasantly surprised.Bob Davis is |
| going to buy from? Exactly.The previous | | | | a professional database consultant, web |
| example may be a bit over-dramatized, but the | | | | designer, graphic artist, and Internet |
| theory is sound. Sometimes, little | | | | marketer. |
| psychological nudges in the right direction | | | | |