Thursday, March 29, 2012

tell me what you think

Dairy Queen

I have been pondering a blog redo for a while now.
As I get started on that, I wanted your input.
From time to time I read something about people not liking blogs with playlists.
I've even been told that there are people who won't stay for a visit if there is music playing.
That got me thinking.
I wonder, what do you think about music on a blog?
I love my playlist, but I love my readers more.
Is a playlist irritating?
Should I keep it or delete it?
I am not sure which way I am leaning, but I did want your opinions.

Please?

Lurkers, you too. Won't you please just write a two sentence comment.
Something like "Keep it" or "Toss it" would be fine.

Thanks, friends.

43 comments:

Joanna said...

Well as you've asked...... Playlists aren't for me because I often have music on anyway and it means I have to just mute everything if a blog then comes on with music.

BUT, it's your blog and is an extension of your personality. Music tells us so much about a person so if you want to have music on your blog then HAVE IT!

Thank you for asking!

x

Sarah said...

First-thanks for the doll comment-and yes it is cute but creepy-fun to hear about your Dad's!
As for your playlist-I didn't know you had one-so it isn't playing on my computer! I generally don't really like playlists that start as I visit a blog-I think it is something to do with not usually listening to music as I read. However, there is a mute button and I use that and carry on reassing. Also I have discovered some brilliant and previously unknown songs from other people's playlists. Also-it is your space so do what you like! Ha-can you tell I am an indecisive Libra?!

Anonymous said...

Hi Relyn,
My computer doesn't play your playlist either! There's one blog I go onto that plays the same music incessantly, and although I know where the pause button is, I do find I only visit that blog when I'm not in a hurry. How lazy is that?!

Claire said...

My computer doesn't play your playlist....but I don't really mind them in the main!

ZEKE said...

by default I have my speakers off so I don't notice the playlist always. It doesn't bother me at all :)

Jeannine said...

No music! I don't actually visit sites to read posts, though. I subscribe and read via a reader where music isn't an issue, but if I visit a site where music is playing, I usually don't go back.

Your blog doesn't seem to have any music? My speakers are on and I don't hear anything ...

Best of luck with your redesign. Can't wait to see!

Unknown said...

I find the playlist distracting until I begin to read your blog. Then it's all of one piece.

Why not fix it so people can turn off the music if they don't want to listen? That would be a compromise. People who automatically leave if something doesn't suit them aren't going to be your readers anyway.

Delena said...

I say toss it! I can't concentrate on good reads when music is playing in the background.

Marilyn Miller said...

You are the only blog where I enjoy the music, but that said - I would say toss it. Playlists do bug me, I usually rush to turn them off if I want to stay awhile.

Georgianna said...

Hi Relyn, Thanks for asking. I'm not a fan of playlists. I find them intrusive and they interfere with what I may already be listening to or involved in in our home office. When I click on a blog that I know has a playlist, I dive for the mute button. Which causes me problems as sometimes I don't then turn it back on and miss email or scheduling alerts. So, for me, they are a no.

If the default was OFF and readers could turn it on, that would be better, but I don't see that on blogs.

So, my opinion only. I know others differ on this point.

Looking forward to your update! Still catching up from the event but will answer your email today.

xo – g

Anonymous said...

I don't like them. I'd rather you share songs or playlists in a post (that links to 8track or something) so that I can play it when i'm in a listening headspace. I like to learn about new music or have a musical experience crafted by another person - just on my own terms.

it's especially annoying if i'm already listening to my own music and I open a website that plays music automatically and i have to go searching for it to turn it off...and then it restarts every time i navigate the website.

having said that, I read your posts in my reader to bypass the problem.

thanks for asking!

E.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Personally, I don't care for music, on blogs.

But! I can turn my sound off. Ta-da...

So you can have your music, and I can easily avoid it.

:-)

Win! Win! :-)

"Naps are nature's way of reminding you that life is nice---like a beautiful, softly swinging hammock strung between birth and infinity." ~Peggy Noonan

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Ahhhh LURKERS. You would go and bring up my fav pet peeve, now wouldn't you, Dear? ,-) And set me off on a tangent. -gigggles-

No, the topic of LURKERS ISSSSS a pet peeve of mine. I just won't ramble on too much, on it, here in your comments.

I know sometimes we are in a hurry, when reading blogs, and can't really stop and comment anything.

{Just because this hardly ever happens with me, doesn't mean that it doesn't happen with others, I know. ,-)}

But to always read a blog, and never comment, is pretty un-kind and impolite in my *Olden* view.

It's like watching a play performed on stage (reading our blogs), and never bothering to clap (comments).

Did you ever think of it, that way?

"Naps are nature's way of reminding you that life is nice---like a beautiful, softly swinging hammock strung between birth and infinity." ~Peggy Noonan

Sweet Tea said...

I used to have a playlist, but read a variety of articles that said most people don't want to hear the music. My son told me he was glad I took it off my blog since he liked to "sneak a peak" at my blog while at work and didn't want the music blaring...So I'd say nix the music, that's what I did.

Unknown said...

I usually have my speakers turned off because I tend to read posts better when there isn't music competing with this brain of mine.

susanna said...

Hey Miss Relyn!

I don't mind playlists at all. If the music isn't my cup of tea, I just turn off the sound. BUT sometimes I'll just keep my computer on a blog playlist so I can hear the music while I work! I've discovered terrific new music via blogland.

I'd say, do what YOU want to do. This blog represents who you are. And you are one terrific human being!

Anonymous said...

Do what makes sense to you regarding the playlist. I'd not worry about other people's opinion of what you do on your blog. It is, after all, your blog.

I always live by the blogging mantra: "my blog, my rules." It has kept me sane for many years now.

Unknown said...

I have to confess I do turn it down because I usually have music playing on my computer. I usually only hear the beginning of the first song because it doesn't take long to read and comment usually. But it is your blog so do what you want. We can listen or turn it down. It does not irritate me.

Debby said...

I love your music. I would keep it. It's like your trademark.
SOmetimes I have to hurry off a blog because the music is so out there. It is hard to concentrate to read the blog. BUt yours isn't it is beautiful.

knitalatte said...

I vote keep. I like your playlist. I know I'm visiting you...

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

Not a fan of playlists, as I am usually half listening to the tv when I'm on the computer. But as music is, it's a part of our personality we like to share...maybe you could add a page to your blog of your favorite music and people could listen if they wanted to...

Roban said...

Sometimes I enjoy what I hear (yours included), while at other times I turn down my volume because I'm listening to something else. I think you should do what pleases YOU. We'll always be here no matter what you choose.

Unknown said...

I'm not a big fan of music on blogs but it's really up to you and what you want to do on your blog.

xo Mary Jo

Tracy said...

I don't like playlists on blogs either. It could be great songs, even songs I love too, but I find music on a blog irritating--as I'm there to visit, commune with the writer, think, etc... the music gets too distracting. Now a song/YouTube link in a post, that's OK. But this place is yours, Relyn, you ought to follow what your heart wants to do. :o) Happy Weekend ((HUGS))

Amy said...

Ooh, a blog redo--how fun! As for the playlist, I think they can add character. However, I still tend toward bidding them adieu--if for no other reason than to protect readers. Whatever do I mean, you ask? Well, I've discovered quite a few of my readers read my blog in stolen moments . . . at work . . . while children nap. If music plays, I'm sure it's a mad dash to shut it off!

Whoa! Long comment. Can't wait to see what you come up with! :)

Mac n' Janet said...

Love the music on your blog.

beth said...

I pretty much ditto what Joanna said....I usually mute music as soon as I hear it.....xoxo

Unknown said...

My computer is usually on mute so I've not really thought about your play list. We have weird internet issues so I really don't like them anyway because it just adds to the download time. But now that you mention it--it is lovely music!

Anonymous said...

i keep the volume off on my computer so unless i am actually wanting to listen to something in particular, i dont hear any music on blogs.

something that irritates me more about blogs (not yours) are those that have fancy fonts for the text. it makes it hard to read and i hope that is something you would consider when you are redesiging.

Joanna Jenkins said...

Play lists are what the mute button is for-- I say, your blog, your way.

Happy remodeling :-)

jj

dulcy said...

Hey sweetie! Since you asked, I ALWAYS turn off music if it's playing on a blog. No matter how good the tune is, for some strange reason, I find it irritating. I truly don't know why..... I think it interrupts the reading when I'm not expecting it.

Xo
Dulcy

Kyra said...

I have discovered some amazing pieces of music thanks to blog play lists & your playlist doesn't play when I come...all that said...I'd say toss it, 'cuz at times I do get distracted by the sudden music which starts playing, instead share your music as a monthly playlist post or as a blogpost and if u have to keep it then keep a soothing one

krista said...

personally, not a fan of music on blogs. i always mute my computer.
but, to further expand on what everyone else said:
your blog. your rules.
xoxo

Island Soul said...

I think playlists are fine on a blog and I often enjoy yours. BUT I often have music already playing while I'm blog hopping. It would be great if you could put access to the playlist at the top rather than the bottom and allow the reader to turn it on rather than off if that is her/his desire.

Countrywoman said...

I dont mind playlist

Jaime said...

When I scroll down to your playlist, it says, "Due to licensing restrictions, some or all tracks may be unavailable for playback in your country"... so I can't hear a thing when I come here.
I can't read and listen to music... I end up reading the same sentence over and over again, as I get so distracted! But this isn't an issue when I visit you. :)

Debbie said...

I am going to be honest and say that I am in the "no music" group. That is because I usually have my own music on when I am on the computer and so I have to figure out quickly which music to turn off or go crazy...or crazier as the case may be.

Jenny said...

I generally prefer no music - your blog has always been like that for me as I'm in a different country & so I haven't got access to it! x

Jeanie said...

Playlist -- good question. Mostly I'm not that fond of the blog music, although I find yours restful and thoughtful, which suits you well. Some just aggravate me and I leave as soon as possible. On the other hand, there's another I visit and I keep her blog up often in a separate window, just to hear her Parisian playlist. So, the short answer is "it depends." And I'm not sure you'll get pure agreement on any one piece, so I say if you like it, do it!

Unknown said...

I like the playlist. If people don't, they can always turn their speakers off. The only thing I wish were different is that it plays the same song every time I visit. Wish it would randomize... that would be cool. :)

gkgirl said...

hey cutie pie...
:O)

i don't mind playlists most of the time...except the times i don't know my speakers are on and the music scares the bejeepers out of me...hahahaha...but that's my own fault for leaving my speaker turned up too loud...

don't know if that helps you any, but just so you know...i'd still come here either way :O)

spread your wings said...

you do have a really nice list of songs but personally i don't like playlist on blogs. I just turn the music down when it comes up. it's easy enough to do and certainly doesn't turn me away from visiting you. : )

Anonymous said...

I LOVE your music. I hope you don't take it away. It has introduced me to some artists I would not have known about before.Also, as others pointed out, there is a button on the keyboard F9 that silences it (if you have Windows 7)if you don't want to listen. I frequently turn off sound to avoid advertising in news sites so it's easy to do.

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