Forum Moderators: not2easy
Im new here, and would appreciate some help. Im trying to add talking messages to my site. I am considering this software:
MyWebsiteTalks.com
I also was looking at sonicmemo.com but this one does not have the talking email or the FTP upload thing, Im not really sure how to upload so I thought the mywebsitetalks.com was better for me.
Does anyone have experience in using these tools or another suggestion for a newbie?
Thanks so much!
- anna
Looks like a really cheap service. I wouldn't bother with it.
I would be very careful with how you use this on your site. Personally, I immediately close any sites that 'talk to me', play music, etc. If it is something you are offering as an optional feature for users that is cool, but please please please don't make it automatically play! :)
Best of luck!
Welcome to WebmasterWorld annav, we're pleased to have you join us! :) (At least I am! ;) )
As those who posted indicated, I'm also less than thrilled with sites that try to control my browser.
Unless your regular visitors are handicapped or there is some other special reason for a talking website, my experience is they generally are less financially successful than more conventional websites.
I visited a site a few days ago that fired up some music on my machine. Although there was plenty of useful information, I quickly became irritated by the sound track which looped endlessly. Normally I would have just abandonded the site but this was the only game in town, so I wasted some time finding the link to disable the sound (becoming more annoyed as time passed!) I never did make a purchase and don't plan to return to the site...
Flash animations and music playing and all of the other gimmicks and "gee whiz" technologies are "really kool" the first time you see them. They quickly annoy most surfers on subsequent visits.
That may also explain why so many posters seemed so displeased by your question. ;)
Welcome aboard! :)
I'm sorry, I just figured annav was trying to promote the product.
Comments like, "websites with sound do not make any money"...
what?
How in the world do you know if a sites makes any money or not?
These softwares allow you to auto-play sound OR play it when a visitor clicks on my play button.
I totally disagree with most of these comments you guys have made, and I think voice is an excellent way to communicate to my visitors. It certainly got my attention when i heard it.
This was my first post here, and if this is what you get when posting a question... this is my 1st and last post.
Soooo long and thanks for nothing! Good luck in the world of text, I think the net offers a lot better experience than text, so maybe one day ya'll will wake up.
- Anna
people here are generally very helpful and quick to respond to questions. its a shame that you feel you cannot post here as it is an absolute goldmine of information relating to all aspects of working on the web.
what you must realise is that there are a LOT of extremely knowledgable, talented and experienced people contributing here, and when someone says
websites that talk dont make money
it may seem like a throwaway remark, and may hurt that someone is shunning your idea, but the chances are there is a lot of truth in it, and its invaluable advice.
i would urge you to stick around, read and post as much as possible. it will be great for your personal development, and good for the community here.
hope your still here to read this
ben
If you want to add voice messages to your website, check out the link in my profile. It's exactly what you're looking for and it's free.
Alternatively, you can just record a .wav or .mp3 file and upload it then link to it and it will play in the person's .wav or .mp3 player.
Mods, I hope pluggin my own site is OK...it's really the best way to do what the OP is wanting to do...
Unless it's mission-critical, I'd make it an option for a special section (otherwise only if forced at gunpoint). The first thing I do when opening the box of a new system is throw the speakers in the spares box. I tried giving them away but it seems everybody I know has trashed theirs, too. Then as soon as it boots I mute the system sound.
The first thing I do when opening the box of a new system is throw the speakers in the spares box.
:) I was wondering if I was the only one who hates noises while surfing.
Anna,
Don't go away mad. The people here are usually courteous. I think that they just have strong beliefs and were actually trying to help you.
I agree with them on the fact that a talking website would annoy me.
As far as your question is concerned, go with the one you like the most. You probably won't get much input on the software you mentioned here because it probably isn't used by many.
I emplore you to stick it out here...it's a great community!
Birdman
Thank you to those of you offering your kind insight, and I now see there's quite the opionated in here.
Some of you guys are pretty nuts, telling me to "throw out my speakers".. very nice.
I think I'll refrain from asking questions which could be based on an opinion around here and try to keep it techincal only.
Thanks to you nice one's, and you others with dumb remarks should not be replying like that--that's terrible.
Anna
>>I think I'll refrain from asking questions which could be based on an opinion around here and try to keep it techincal only.<<
Yea, I kind of found out the same thing, but I have to agree with them. I ran into one of these talking sites and I found it very annoying, my opinion of course. I immediately thought of sites that play music that I may or may not like. Even if I like the music, I leave the site ASAP, as I did the one that was talking to me.
What if I’m listening to a CD when I go to one of these sites? It has long been published, and seldom argued with that the sites that play music are very annoying and in general, anyone with any ‘know’ refrains from doing this. While there may very well be a rationalization for this in certain areas, in my opinion, it should never be what makes the first impression of a visitor to a web site, and I think that is what people are trying to point out.
Anyway sites with sound effects can and do occasional get it right because
1. They offer the user the option to listen
2. They offer the user the option to listen
3. They offer the user the option to listen
I think that really sums up the sounds/music on the Internet for me.
Also offering a range of sounds/music for low, medium and high bandwidth is a good option so that they are not loaded with the rest of the page - slowing down your other content.
From personal experience when I did a "flyer-site" for a club night the music was initially loaded and played when the site opened - users didn't like it - when we offered the alternative they did - so it does work.
Ta
Limbo
-------
Added>>
I have invested in a multi-media amp - I love music - I actually bought better speakers so I can have the tunes up high when I work - then I threw the others away ;)
I have to say that I know a cop (my younger brother) who loves this sort of thing. I also have a brother in law who digs websites with music on them. Always sending me those, "Why can't you make websites like this" emails, and it's usually something that's talking or shaking at me.
Anna, come back!
We're not all nuts!
;) Y
Here's how to do it for free:
1. Record a .wav file using your sound card's Mic input and a cheap microphone.
2. Upload the .wav file to your server.
3. Make a link to the .wav file.
If you want to make the .wav an MP3, get dbPowerAmp, convert to .mp3, upload and link.
I hate companies that prey on people's ignorance.
On UNIX, there is also a way to do it with another kind of sound file that I can't recall right now what the extension is. I remember playing with it about 3 years or more ago, but decided it was annoying for the end user. As I recall it used javascript or something to play them. I have an old piece of software somewhere that converted the .wav files into the correct format for UNIX.
(Start Menu - Programs - Accessories - Entertainment - Sound Recorder)
It's kind of cool.
Good call Mr Mungus.
Thanks.
One thing I forgot to mention is that you'll want to make sure you record it at a high enough bitrate to make sure it sounds good enough (File > Properties > Convert Now lets you set the recording bitrate).
[download.com.com...]
I agree that options are good, but maybe link to the sound part to turn it on, rather than control that part for them. Or check stats before and after forcing sound.
1. I do not have speakers of any sort on my computer
2. I do have speakers hooked up to the laptop (don't ask). Since I live in a rural area, my laptop is my radio. If I want audio, I turn on my laptop and listen. Otherwise I surf "deaf" and have no interest in doing otherwise.
