Effects - sound and scripting effects... be careful! You might just have these problems...

I pasted in a great effect, and it doesn't work

I put sound into my web page, and I can't hear it

My popup window doesn't work - why?

1. Scripting effects - to use or not to use... will they work?!!

I managed to restrain myself on the web design tips page and just stuck in one scripting effect - the floating cursor - or floating rectangle if you've got the "wrong" sort of browser... or no effect at all on some browsers! :o)

That's one of the problems with them - they don't always work in every browser. If it's not showing up, it could well be a browser compatibility thing... or even just the version of the particular browser you're using. Check your page in more than one browser - if you need to get hold of one, try the "Browsers" page on this site for some useful links.

On this page you'll notice some rather annoying text traipsing round after the cursor - that's a JavaScript effect. I haven't mastered JavaScript, just gone to one of the many sites where you can nick the scripts for nothing (always try to make sure the script you're using is compatible in at least Internet Explorer and Netscape)... and pasted it into my page. The temptation is to shove in as many of these as possible! Resist!

After the initial - "Ooooooh, isn't that clever" effect has worn off - ask yourself "what does that script honestly add to the page?" If the answer is "not a lot!" then think very carefully about using it. Cut 'n' paste scripts are great in the right places - but you don't want to annoy the person viewing the site... especially if they're marking it! Bear in mind - it may not even show up!

If you're using Internet Explorer, then you'll have heard the delightfully tinny version of "Seasons in the Sun" accompanying the web design tips page. If you're using Netscape or Opera on the other hand... nada... nicht... nowt... zilch... zip.

The following HTML will work in Internet Explorer and Opera...

... but won't in Netscape Navigator!

It's not your fault if this happens - Internet Explorer and Netscape support different tags for music - aaaaaargh!

However... a word of warning... background music can quickly become irritating - some people feel that it's an intrusion - after all, they haven't chosen it, and they have to actively disable it. It's also quite difficult to second guess what sort of music is appropriate. Yes, it's a nice effect - in the short term... but... be very, very careful if you're thinking about putting music to your web site! It's another "you don't want to drive people up the wall" sorta moments!!

Point 19 on the web design tips page was summat like this:

Popup windows - hmmmmm! They can be immensely annoying, to say the least! It's another of those things, you learn to do summat new - then go into overdrive with it - and suddenly everything pops out of everything else!!! :o)

Popup windows will not display properly in browsers that support multiple pages - i.e. Opera and NetCaptor - they just open in a new page and may not even be seen by your audience. Some people install special little programs to disable popups... use 'em with care!