Forum Moderators: not2easy
Since you said you don't want to add anything to the A HREF tag, I assume you know that the effect you want can be created through JavaScript, using "onmouseover" to trigger sound. As far as I know, this is your only choice right now. Still, many people would love to hear of a success using another method, I'm sure.
Even using Javasript, browser compatibility is a concern. Here [wsabstract.com] is one method that is cross browser compatible.
I don't claim the definitive word on whether a:hover can trigger a sound in MSIE. Anyone know anything more about this?
1. It starts Java when you mouseover the link... hence it takes forever on older machines.
2. It didn't work at all for me, even after I waited for Java. Gave a Javascript error. It may be cross-browser compatible on Windows, but it definitely doesn't work in NN 4.7/Mac.
I tried forever to find a way to initiate a remote imagechange using jscript/onmouseover *without* using <a href=> and could never find a way to make it work.
I'd LOVE to find out a way to do mouseover effects without having to hyperlink the trigger though... I'll be watching this one to see what turns up!
Java is pretty common for embedding sound files -- other methods are too browser specific, but now you've pointed to platform issues as well. One of my friends has a nice g4, and he has constant problems playing music from the web, with either browser.
That javascript error you mentioned interests me a lot - I am on the hunt for more Mac javascript info. Does the Mac version of Netscape come with a js console to get more specific error messages? On Windows you can type javascript: into the location window and get a pop-up console that helps in debugging.
using an embed tag (instead of bgsound) allows music to play automatically upon loading a page for Mac NN/IE... I prefer silence on the web, so I really haven't looked into online sound much.
