How do I keep background sound continuing when the page changes?

[smithaa02]

I have background music on my site which works fine, but when I go to another page the music starts all over again. Any ideas on how I can keep the music playing without being interrupted when users go to new pages?

A frameset would do the trick, but I'm worried about getting hit as far as SEO rankings go.

A new window would also do the trick, but I can't figure out a way to get this to work without getting blocked by most popup blockers.

Any other ideas?

[DrDoc]

Well, as you clearly understand, the key is not unloading the page that plays the sound. This leaves nothing but frames/iframes/popups.

Or, you could just nuke the sound, too ;)

[csuguy]

if you wanted to go beyond html you might be able to accomplish it using a java applet to play the music and a cookie which records the position in the song when you go to a new page. Otherwise frames/iframes/popups are your only options... Maybe Javascript depending upon how your playing the music?

[smithaa02]

For the popups, are there any that would work against FF and IE's default popup blockers? The only trick I know for getting around popups is using laying, positioning, and javascript to control display:block/display:none which wouldn't work here because it's contained inside the page. Any alternatives?

[tedster]

yes - use frames and make them SEO friendly. One big help is using a script to put direct traffic to a page that should be framed - the kind that comes from search engines - back into the frameset.

See the post "FORCE MANY PAGES INTO FRAMES - with one simple script" in this thread: [webmasterworld.com...]

[smithaa02]

I'm more concerned about my search engines rankings then making sure the search engine results are being displayed correctly. My understanding is that frames hurt when it comes to rankings especially for the home page because the search engine counts the frames as separate pages which results in the home page having no content in the eyes of the search engine because everything is in the frameset.

[pinterface]

This can be done in two easy steps:

1. Take the music out of your pages.
   
2. Play the music using your preferred music player.

This approach has several major benefits:

• It won't annoy your users who probably already have music playing.
  
• The music will keep playing even when you leave your site!
  
• Works in every browser ever created.

;)

[smithaa02]

I agree with you but....it's what my client wants :(

[D_Blackwell]

.....annoy your users who probably already have music playing.

I often have a stream running while working or playing. If I hit a site that starts playing something overtop I am gone.

Many threads on this topic. Do a search and paste out a selection of responses made by professionals. If they sill want the music - so long as they sign the check, let them have it. Take the money.

I would feel an obligation to warn them of the potential consequences of wanting something that a lot of their users may not want. That would bill under 'consulting'.

Personal site, enthusiast site - that's something else. Selling something - then potential sales will be running to the exit.

[Marshall]

If I hit a site that starts playing something...I am gone.

Personal site, enthusiast site - that's something else. Selling something - then potential sales will be running to the exit.

Strongly agree!

Marshall

[Lobo]

Yip I agree with the above.. can't stand sites that force me to listen to anything I don't want to..

I think background music is probably the biggest no no for any site..

I would get back to your client and try once again to help them see sense...

[Futureline]

Hi there!
I'm new to this forum, and quite new to html too,- but regarding the thread I have a somewhat similar problem:

I wish to have a flash mp3-player on my website, but I want it to BE ABLE to play as the visitors change page.

This will NOT play automatic, but if a visitor wants to listen to my music, then I would like to have the opportunity to let the player continue playing on the other pages of my site.

Is there a smart way to achieve this, for a newbie?

Thanks.

And, if you moderators wants me to start a new thread on my problem, then it's ok,- just tell me,- I have no intention of hijacking a thread, it just seemed relevant to the theme here.

Tommy

[tedster]

Hello Futureline, and welcome to the forum.

DrDoc gave the answer in the first reply above. When the user chooses to hear music, then the sound must load through a url that does not unload when the user changes pages. This is either done by putting the entire site in frames or using a popup window.

[Futureline]

Ok, thank you.

I just thought it was possible to implement a flash player in a different way than a java-applet or something.
Seems like pop-up may be the solution for me, I think.

Thanks for the answer though. :-)
I have another related question too, but I'll post it in a new thread.

[mipr]

I know of at least one site that uses a flash player that (i assume) periodically saves the position of the track in the player in a cookie, which is then read on subsequent page loads and the track is restarted from that position.

I have searched for how to do this but I haven't found anything, however it doesn't sound like it would be too difficult for someone with decent flash skills, if your client really is set on it.

[Futureline]

Well, I'm not sure if that would turn out good, but I am searching for that option myself, but being a newbie on Html I don't know quite where to find the solution for it.

If I settle for the popup-solution, then I only need to find a code for letting the popup avoid the popup-blocker (atleast in IE), and I have been told there is a code you can implement so the page loads without too many problemss for regular users, but I haven't found it yet.

[thecoalman]

Pop-up blockers block pop-ups that are generated by the page, they don't block ones that initiated by the user. Set up a link to the player on your page(s) to initiate the pop-up player. Using JS you can set various parameters and produce a small window, embed the player inside the pop-up and you have pseudo mini music player that can be minimized.