Stop the auto-play video – for the love of all that is right about the web (rant)

September 25, 2008 in industry news

ESPN logoImage via WikipediaI really like a lot of things about sports web site espn.com. They have a fine stable of writers and reporters, some cool flash-based live in-game data interfaces, and the ability to stoke the SEC-Big 10-Pac 10 football controversy like no other. #

But for the love of all that is right and true about the web, STOP THE AUTO-PLAY VIDEO ON THE FRONT PAGE! #

There are few things more annoying than surfing to a web site and being bombarded with sights and sounds from a video that I didn’t expect. Quite possibly the only thing I can think of that approaches that level of annoyitivity (I made that word up) is those flash ads that obscure part of the copy until you close them. #

We all know how to use the “play” button, ESPN. If we want to listen to your anchors talking about the latest sports news for 2 minutes, WE CAN PUSH THE BUTTON. As it is, I am to the point where I don’t even want to check the scores from Sunday’s NFL games to avoid the annoyance. There’s always Yahoo! Sports instead. #

I seem to recall for a long time the auto-play was turned off. Maybe it was my browser. Whatever. It needs to stop. #

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