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