Using Music on your ProBoard

[elerian]

I had put a poll up on my forum concerning the use of a music player and got a lot of the same issues concerning load time and auto-play. In the end, I decided to keep the music player down and have started mentioning a good music site called pandora. This site molds to the interests of the user and is totally controlled by them. It eliminates the hassle on the forum and I will not have to worry about getting PMs that say how lousy the music is. I cannot honestly find a decent reason for music on a forum because it eventually gets very old and the more active the member is then the older it gets. I say leave it to the members to find their music and focus on other aspects that could use your attention on the forum.

[Dumezil]

I do not like music on a site because if not done properly it can really ruin the entire site. I hate when people do it and it takes forever to load, especially when you aren't expecting it and you have your speakers on full blast and five minutes into the site some screamo rock band blasts out your eardrums nearly giving you a heart attack.
If in the form of a youtube playlist or one of the other things it may also degrade the looks of a site. And if someone new joins the site who happens to not like the music that everyone else picked out, and the experience of a new site may not be as good. It gets really annoying having to turn your speakers off every time you log on, especially if you may forget and get yourself blasted.
Most of them also load slow which also makes the site slower, never fun.

[Andrea]

On other forums, I don't really mind if they have music as long as it isn't auto. But, even if I do choose to listen to it, it's frustrating because most of hte time, with most music players, if I go to another page the song has to start all over when I'm only half way through it.

But on my forums, I don't think their necessary. Unless there's a massive request from my members to have one (which there never has been), then I just think they're there for decoration and thus are a waste of space.

[elerian]

Andreaa. has it right. Admin's who have music players need to really think about the effects it has on their forums and whether or not it is a necessity. I still continue to hold the belief that the recommendation of a separate site is a far better way to promote music with your forum. The decoration, load time, maintenance, chosen songs, member consensus etc tend to have adverse effects eventually since music does not stay fresh. Really think about why the forum should have or needs a music player because in the end, you may find the cons to outweigh the pros.

[@_it_again]

Im not a fan of music on the sites. Roleplayers go to these sites to express themselves and be creative, and yes while some may find music inspiring..others may not. I think it really comes down to are you willing to risk destroying one person's muse to benefit anothers. I personally wouldnt recommend one because of all the potential complaints... slow loading times, unfamiliar songs, unappealing to the site...etc, etc. I think that if music inspires some then great..awesome but they should listen to it on their own computer or at their house not make everyone else have to listen to it.

[Serenitystar]

I do not like Music on a forum. Especially when I don't know it's there. I have my music on sometimes and have to turn the speakers all the way up to hear, so when something starts playing on websites it busts my eardrumbs. Plus its distracting sometime when I'm trying to concentrate. I personally prefer the option to let members put music in their profiles. Thats where all the music should belong, not on the main page(s) of the forum.

[mvpgamer]

Well, I have a question. I am making a wrestling site, so, do you think I should add a music player with wrestling songs?

[Candice]

Aug 19, 2009 8:51:31 GMT -8 mvpgamer said:

Well, I have a question. I am making a wrestling site, so, do you think I should add a music player with wrestling songs?

Hi,

Welcome to D:YP. Please be sure that all posts are 4 sentences long, otherwise it doesn't look like you're contributing to the conversation at hand and put no thought into your post.

Thank you.

[Raven Silvertongue]

I usually put a music player on my forum. I use playlist.com, and have it set to not start automatically.
I like having it, 'cause I like listening to music while posting. And none of my members ever complain, in fact they seem to like it.
My only problem is when I accidentally change the page with the music. It's a little jarring when all of a sudden the music stops...
._.

[.the werewolf!]

Some good thoughts on this topic. Playlists can be helpful, especially with my muse that likes to work more when a certain song is playing, or it helps me get into character a bit more. But where the location of the playlist affects my views. If its on the main page, it tends to slow down my browser(depending on the playlists setup), and if on auto-play, causes it to lag and freeze before coming right. Also, when at night I don't expect it, I get a fright and would rather not go back. If its somewhere else, say, you made a board for the playlist and popped it into that boards header, or footer, then I can load it up with no problem, because generally, that has less to display than the main page(that and my browser can be rather picky and annoying). If its somewhere in a board header or footer like that, then potential members won't be turned away, and can listen to it when, or if they feel like it, and vice versa. Though, it can be hard, when adding music, peoples taste in music are always different, so thats much harder. For me, if its on the main page, I probably won't stay around much, for reasons stated above

[Nikki]

I have music on my site as each member has their own RP theme song. But the player doesn't play automatically which I think is good. Its visible and easily controlled. I put it into the side tables which I think looks good. Im not sure how long I will keep it there though. As for the loading I haven't really experienced the site loading any slower. The members like it and I think it adds a good look to the page. Only if its there for the right reasons. I think its good for roleplay sites

[SpiderMike™]

Ive got a player that spews out game related tracks from past to present PlayStation games. Its on auto and contains news, jingles and adverts. Everone loves it and I've had no complaints. Only requests.

[cisleader]

I've never been a fan of music on PBs, but depending on the type of forum, it could work fine.

As long as the music players aren't auto start, I'm ok. We don't wanna go to forums just to hear their music auto start, mite be a bit annoying.

One thing, it'd be for the best if they make the music player in a special board, maybe title "music player", or something close to that concept.

[Outsider <3]

i personally will never put music on forums because i don't ever join a forum that has it anyway. i also don't join a forum with the c-boxes that make sounds when there's a new message for one main reason, i like listening to music on my own time, not out of a website and it's frustrating when they have a music player and i'm on playlist trying to build my muse. it's just a personal thing i'm sure many users agree with. we all have our different taste in music and i don't really want to listen to any crap they have on their proboard like for example, Miley Cyrus. A playlist, or music player when I'm looking at a site is a big "umm. no."

[XaviEo]

I think playlists on PB's are a good idea as long as it's not on auto start and you can request songs that you want on the playlist. I have done this with my site and I haven't had any complaints. I find it handy when at places like my dads house where I don't have my music collection with me I can play music from the playlist to give me muse. I can never roleplay without music playing so it helps me and I hope it helps other members as well. I have been to a few sites that have playlists on auto start and I left straight away, if I'm at home I like to listen to my own music and having music play every time I change the page gets very irritating. I'd say it's a great idea as long as there is no auto start and a thread to request songs.