Question:
Is Music Really Necessary in profiles?

Hi Friends, I hope this question doesn't come across as fussy or unkind but I felt I had to ask it. Is it really necessary for any of us to have music on our profiles? I recently changed jobs and went from a private office setting to a cubicle setting so those around me can hear what goes on in my cubicle. I need to have the volume on on my computer because it gives me "bell" reminders for meetings so I can't just turn the volume off. It's difficult to turn volume up and down quickly. I wanted to read a profile earlier today - I work in the bariatric field - but couldn't because the music was playing and it was a bit loud and distracting. Again, I'm not trying to insult anyone by ANY means! I love the spruced up profiles but I just wonder if music is necessary. It might prevent someone from reading your profile who really would have benefitted from it. Hope I didin't offend anyone.    — ronascott (posted on February 16, 2005)

February 15, 2005
I wholeheartedly agree! Music is nice in thought, but it is a pain when you're trying to read something in a setting where you can't have music blaring. If I run across a profile with music and I'm at work, I quickly click out of it. So for those you have it, keep it in mind that some of us won't bother to read your profiles. I also find if a profile is SO spruced up...it's hard to read the text too depending on the graphics. But, I should talk...my profile is empty! I've been too lazy to put anything in it!
   — Lori J.

February 16, 2005
It is really an easy fix... when the music is coding into the page they just need to include a mute or stop button. Most music files have these... have you tried looking for these?
   — MagickalMom

February 16, 2005
Frankly, all the graphics and fancy doings in the spruced-up profiles are hard for me to cope with. Cute puppies, dolls, flowers, angels, and so on are very decorative, but they make the text a lot harder to read. Those of us with slow-loading computers may not stick around to read the profiles, and that's a shame. I've never been attracted to a profile because of its graphics or music. I want to read about the person, and that's much easier to do when the text is left plain. I'll spend a lot longer with a profile that has several pages of plain, easy-to-read text than I will with one that has moving graphics, red gyrating letters on a pink background, and its own musical accompaniment.
   — Kay B.

February 16, 2005
No offense taken but please dont take offense when i say, that it may not be necessary but at the same time this is our journal this is our page with our thoughts and so therefore this is our right to spruce up our pages. I write in my journal mainly for me and if others want to read it I am happy to share but if its a bother to some, then I wouldnt be offended if they choose not to read it. just my thoughts!
   — Deanna Wise

February 16, 2005
Well just like in life you have to deal with other people and their querks on occasion. It's just like going over to a friends house... you don't ask them to get rid of their ugly picture on the wall just because you don't like it or it distracts you or causes you distress. My suggestion is to just back out of the profile and go to another.
   — Kara J.

February 16, 2005
I have to agree here. I haven't encountered it much here as I don't browse the profiles like I used to, but I will immediately back out of any profile or website that has music. I just don't like over simplified, muzakified, aerosmith. ;P I am in no way trying to offend anyone, but just to let those that have the music know.....there are people that wont read what you have to say because of the music. :(
   — RebeccaP

February 16, 2005
Rona, Maybe you could mute the sound on your computer when you are reading profiles, if you don't know how, contact your tech department. Also, your alerts can be visual as well as a bell. I think that reading e-mails and the like at work on their time is not appreciated nor appropriate and that rather than ask people who are and have been setting up their profiles to suit your office needs is a little inconsiderate. Maybe you should wait until you are home to read the message board. Jan
   — Jannat B.

February 17, 2005
It used to be possible to read any profile sans embellishments merely by clicking to the member's surgery page. Underneath other members' posted comments, the member's profile was reproduced, in plain text. This allowed the member to be as ornate and flamboyant as she liked in constructing her profile without sacrificing the profile's readability. It thus struck the perfect balance between self-expression and communication. I was sad to see this feature disappear. If anyone knows of a way decorated profiles still can be read in plain text, please let me know.
   — Kay B.