During the dotcom madness of the late 1990s there were many predictions about the future of Web audio. Some folks imagined a convergence of film, television, and the Internet. That has not happened for a number of reasons but the most important reason it has not happened is that high-speed connections to the Internet (aka broadband) are just now becoming more common than slower dial-up connections.
Another important reason, however, is that of user expectations. Television had audio from the beginning and all the content designed for television was designed with audio in mind. The Internet, on the other hand, was designed for exchange of text documents and most people view the Internet more like an electronic book or library than as a broadcast medium. As a result, exciting discussions about adding film-style soundtracks to Web sites and using sounds in rollover buttons and other user interface features need to be tempered with an understanding of how people actually want to use the Web.
For example, in a typical business setting, library, or school computer lab, Web audio may be viewed as a distraction. This problem can be avoided by following the principle of consent and control. Web site visitors should never be surprised by audio. Instead, Web sites that have audio should allow the visitor to control it or turn it off completely. In most cases, audio should be turned off on a Web site by default. When audio is available on a web site it can serve many purposes.
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