There is a movement in the blogosphere that is picking up momentum – and not a moment too soon, in my opinion: The drive to ban music or other audio files from playing automatically when a blog or webpage loads. In fact, Entrecard recently upgraded its quality standards for member blogs and now bans any blog with “autoplaying audio: This includes music that plays automatically when you visit the page, or short audio ads that come up unannounced.”
For good reason. Aside from the aesthetic considerations, autoplaying audio is actually a health and safety hazard. If you don’t believe me, read today’s Post of the Day: Holy Pop My Eardrums Batman!
Joy was having a great morning. So great, in fact, that it wasn’t “even funny.” Well, not until she wrote the Post of the Day, that is.
After a walk on the treadmill, she felt good enough to walk all the way to the end of her driveway to retrieve the morning newspaper, and was still invigorated enough to have a good romp with her faithful companion, Mushu.
She decided to make herself some breakfast and settle in for a relaxing, peaceful morning of reading a few blogs she hadn’t visited in awhile.
And then it happened. She opened a browser window and encountered extremely loud autoplaying music.
You will have to read Holy Pop My Eardrums Batman to learn about what happened to Joy — and poor little Mushu — after the aural assault upon their eardrums. Fortunately, both of them survived and Joy was able to publish the details in her hilariously engaging and unique style.
To her credit, Joy took the “high road” and did not reveal the url of the site that perpetuated the assault. Or perhaps she was afraid that if she named names, she might have to enter the blogospheric witness protection program.
If you are a blogger or webmaster who has implemented autoplaying audio files on your site, I’m confident you will remove it after reading about Joy’s experience. Her story will give you an appreciation of the inherent dangers associated with that practice. In fact, you might even be inspired to join the Stop Ear Pollution movement founded by Nate at Come on In, The Web is Fine. Nate receives an Honorable Mention today for his efforts to save all bloggers from befalling the kind of catastrophe that Joy endured.
Congratulations, Joy, on receiving the Post of the Day Award! So glad you lived to tell the tale!
Thanks for visiting! Hope you will subscribe to the RSS feed!
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Thanks for stopping by and adding a button to your site. I’m trying to get the word out there and make the internet a better place. I’m not against sharing music online. I just don’t want it forced on me. Thanks for reading. Mahalo.
Nate Balcom’s most recent post..Free Wallpapers For The Samsung Glyde
Oh by the way I added a link back to your site here.
Nate Balcom’s most recent post..Free Wallpapers For The Samsung Glyde
Great surprise to come on my computer today and see a comment from you! I will proudly display my Post of the Day Award on my blog. I thank you and my but-tocks thanks you. It helps ease the pain I am still feeling….five days later :o)
Joy T.’s most recent post..Holy Pop My Eardrums Batman!
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