Starting to play sound without user confirmation is a default tab-close. I wont even take the time to look at it. Bonus point for not being flash that hijacks the browser shortcut.
The sound is not particularly intrusive or loud, and you clicked on a link that said "Listen" in the title.
Generally I dislike websites that randomly start playing sound (and follow the same tab-close behaviour), but this was not ill-advertised or unexpected.
As others I had a totally different expectation given the title. I thought it would be a piece about how Wikipedia had some message or lesson that we should listen to. I think the author had no bad intentions and what he build is probably worth looking at. I was just pointing out how a mistake in web design made me completely ignore this website because I felt it violated my control over my computer.
While I agree with the sentiment, in this case all I can say is: You're missing out. I enjoyed the relaxing, ambient-ish sounds combined with tempting links to Wikipedia articles.
I'm not sure there is a good solution to auto-playing. People are fine with it on well-known sites like YouTube, Vimeo, Soundcloud, etc. And most people, when they unwittingly click on a YouTube link, blame the person who made the link, not the site itself. Bizarrely, the target of ire shifts to the site if it's not popular enough.
I just went clicking randomly on Vimeo links and I didn't find a single auto-playing video.
You are right about YouTube and I actually think they should handle visitors that come from outside YouTube differently than visitors from inside the site. In the first case auto-play is annoying in the second it is what is wanted.
It would be good to have a "click to unmute" option as the default for how a browser handles audio. Click to play works well for Flash plugins, it might be good for audio as well.
I wish for a time disabled extension. Basically turning the browser into an html/css based image renderer. No more animated ads, autoplay audio/video. Heaven.
When I come to HN, I usually read all topics on the front page, then open interesting ones in tabs. After opening 10 tabs, I hear music, then I find the culprit, close the tab, do not look back.
Why should I adapt my usage patterns to accommodate the shitty behavior of a few websites? Also, are you sure you are in position to tell other people how to use the web? I certainly don't think I am.
Ianvdl|10 years ago
Generally I dislike websites that randomly start playing sound (and follow the same tab-close behaviour), but this was not ill-advertised or unexpected.
pmr_|10 years ago
cbd1984|10 years ago
ggreer|10 years ago
I'm not sure there is a good solution to auto-playing. People are fine with it on well-known sites like YouTube, Vimeo, Soundcloud, etc. And most people, when they unwittingly click on a YouTube link, blame the person who made the link, not the site itself. Bizarrely, the target of ire shifts to the site if it's not popular enough.
pmr_|10 years ago
You are right about YouTube and I actually think they should handle visitors that come from outside YouTube differently than visitors from inside the site. In the first case auto-play is annoying in the second it is what is wanted.
ersii|10 years ago
(Genuine question, as you stated it as a matter of fact. Not trying to be obtuse or annoying.)
michaelx386|10 years ago
agumonkey|10 years ago
trymas|10 years ago
When I come to HN, I usually read all topics on the front page, then open interesting ones in tabs. After opening 10 tabs, I hear music, then I find the culprit, close the tab, do not look back.
Never play music without user permission.
rosstex|10 years ago
[deleted]
pmr_|10 years ago