Diving near Orlando?

[Dr. Jay]

seaangel once bubbled...
Second, there is a volume control on most computers, as well as a mute which I keep on for most of the time just to block out all the annoying sounds and soundtracks online. If I want to hear something I turn it back on.

As I know this is mostly a matter of personal preference, it is something that has been an issue in web design for quite some time.

Basically, you have just proven my point. By turning off your speakers and/or hitting the mute button, you've expressed that you have no interest in listening to midi music off some website. That works well and all, but my question is, if so may people are doing this, than why bother putting music on a site in the first place. If people are just going to turn off their speakers or hit the stop button, it kinda defeats the purpose.

Not only do some people consider it annoying (myself included), it adds to the load time, and can distract from other features of the web page. People will either:

-like it
-put up with it
-ignore it
-shut off their sound
-or get fed up and leave

The last option can be rather disasterous for a webmaster, and a business.

So I guess the question to ask is, does the music sell dive charters? That's a question for any charter webmaster to answer. IMHO, if it doesn't accent the purpose of the site (maybe to sell music), then it doesn't belong. But this may make up a good experiment for a charter site webmaster, and since I see so many dive charter websites with the same "Under the Sea" music theme, I would be interested to see how this is adding to their business.

Here's a good website (just off the top of my head) that I found for a dive charter. My only gripe would be the intro, but the webmaster makes it very easy to just skip it.

Sea Dog Divers in Daytona.
And look, no music following you through the site .

On a side note, I did dive with the Rampage this weekend, and I left happy. The crew was excellent (especially the DM), the second dive was a dive to remember, and the people on the boat were exceptional (even that Mark guy, despite what everyone else was saying about him ...j/k). My only gripe was no wreck dive, but it was to be expected because the previous group made up more of the boat and subsequently, more of the charter's revenues. Another example of how money talks and B.S. walks....:boom:.

 

[seaangel]

You are correct about the noise factor on websites, I agree for the most part. One exception is that I do download music for my MP3 and I appreciate being able to listen to different music over my PC when doing this.

My LDS dives with the Rampage three times a year, over Memorial Day weekend, 4th of July and Labor Day. We have standing reservations each year and bring about 20 divers with us each time. I am sure they are making the money as they have a full boat for each of their trips. We usually go out twice each day, and on one day will make a night dive with them. Generally, on one of the dives we go to the Three Sisters wrecks.

I don't know who Marc is, I do know Mike one of the DM's and he is a videographer as well. We usually have a great time on their trips.( But I do hate his belly board platform for re-entry to the boat) We have tried and tried to convince them to get the Christmas tree ladders, but no luck yet.

I won't be down there until the 4th of July this year, I am skipping the Memorial Day trip since I will be going to Key Largo the next weekend for Wreckmania II with Natasha, Walter and the rest of those from the boards. I am really excited and can hardly wait.
I don't know when I will be diving between now and then, I had to send my computer off for repair, it got bashed on my last trip in some rough water, broke off the compass. I also, notice my spare computer and SPG have a crack on them so I am taking those in today. Looks like I am grounded. Yuk! But I need them for May, I actually might buy a new set up this just doesn't make for fun.

Hope you have some good diving coming soon, since you live in FL you have more opportunity than I do.

 

[Dr. Jay]

....Mike...that was his name! Sorry, I'm really bad with names. He was really cool, and knew all the hotspots. The second dive I stayed more with him and there was much to see. Matter of fact, I just got the video today of our dives, but I haven't had a chance to view it yet.

Have fun in Key Largo! I hope to be down there sometime in mid-June for a week or so. Maybe try to dive all along the keys. Sorry to hear about the computer....but you know....I heard someone say they "rot your brain" ....and mine is already becoming rotten .

And as far as diving goes....I'll call this Saturday "D-day" :cyborg: