Recently I was picking up flash again, and little did I know I started to create a website for myself.
Keep in mind, that after a few days I came up with this:
A basic layout and concept for a website, a work desk, with each object being a button. I might change the buttons on the screen a little…I don’t know, But tell me what you people think!
I only have the monitor buttons and the about button working, and each page is subject to change style and content. But as for the basic layout, here it is.
The default for sound should be off. Not everyone wants to hear sounds while surfing. I didn’t even see a mute button anywhere, so I closed the window. If you want people to stay at your site, don’t have the sound on as default. I don’t care how clever you think the bouncing sound is when the words hit the table/desk, the sound needs to be OFF.
Notice the key words: basic layout/concept, rough draft.
This is simply a test for the design of the site! Certainly a basic layout (mockup) does not include all the extras/necessities that are OBVIOUS when having a flash website. Obviously, I will have a mute/sound off button, but for now, This is what I am presenting the audience with ALL FEATURES (AKA Sound) for merely beta testing purposes. A lot of flash sites involving media have the sound on by DEFAULT. It’s something that people like YOU will have to get used to, because it is a common occurrence for these types of sites.
Now, for people who would actually like to comment without a tantrum on ‘Default Sound’, please do.
Doesn’t mean it right. I’ve never come across a site where sound enhances the “experience”.
Why ask for advice if you demand users conform to your wishes?
Why Flash at all? The sample you showed had nothing that “needed” Flash other than the cool factor.
Having to guess what to click on to navigate gets me going to your competitor’s site.
It’s cheesy and dated. It’s ok to use a computer and desk as a concept but don’t make it the foundation of the site. Don’t make objects buttons. Put your other pages cleanly along the sides or the top. I wouldn’t hire you for a website design. No sound unless you are in a sound related field and even then you need to give them control over it.
If you want people to click on your website, and it has sound, you should WARN them, even if it’s a rough draft.
You wanted comments. My comment was that I close windows if sound starts up without me wanting it. A lot of people surf at work, and if sound starts up, that’s not a good thing. So you should have warned people that the site has sound that can’t be turned off in your original post.
Whoa. Since I didn’t have my sound on, I didn’t bother checking for a way to shut it off. You can’t even argue that other sites do what I bolded. Even the few sites that can legitimately use Flash web pages (multimedia sites) will have a way to mute the sound.