Using Music on your ProBoard

Many sites, regardless of their type, have added play lists or other forms of music players to their sites. These players sometimes consist of music that is either picked out by the staff team themselves, or music that the members were able to state that they would like to hear.

While the idea of having a music player on a site can be considered a great idea, especially if it increases a person’s muse or writing ability, there are some drawbacks to the idea. Sometimes, when the person creating the play list isn’t familiar with site that they’re getting the player from, they’re more likely to put the player on the default settings, which can sometimes include auto play. This simple error can cause issues with not only members but potential members and guests as well. Not only does the music interfere with any music the guest or member might be listening to, it also can turn them away if it’s something they don’t like. For example, Jane Doe might visit a Harry Potter forum and hear Metallica, which isn’t something she likes so instead of joining, she closes out of the site. And so in this case, the member is turned away from the other aspects the site might hold, and the site loses out on another member. It’s a lose/lose situation for both in this case.

Having music players on a site, however, can have some good aspects. If used properly on a roleplaying site, it can help the roleplayer‘s ability to connect with their character if they‘re allowed to give input as to what music would be on the player. If it‘s set to not automatically play every time the page is loaded, then it‘s more likely that no one can get upset by it, and the staff team won‘t have to deal with the increased irritation of members and potential members. Either way though, music players can help and/or destroy a site.

What are your opinions on this subject?