Web sites with images that follow the cursor throughout the page.

It's even more annoying when the images emit sound.

The 30-second internet commercials that precede many online videos - even some on YouTube postings - are more annoying than television ads.

You can ignore banner ads on web sites, print ads in magazines and newspapers, and mailed flyers. But it's much more difficult to avoid these internet broadcasts.

You can't just get up and walk away from the computer, like you can from a TV set. The ads are too short - and what will you do for 30 seconds, anyway?

So, I don't view videos that require me to watch a commercial. I just switch to something else.

If internet content is going to be free (which many people advocate), though, somebody is going to have to pay for everything.

I suppose there are probably going to be a lot more internet commercials in the near future.

The song I heard at the end of a television show was the same one I remembered from a TV ad. I didn't know the name of the song or the artist nor the name of the company whose product had been advertised.

So, I Googled, "song from the computer commercial," and found numerous queries for the same tune, using the identical phrase.

It was New Soul by Yael Naim.

You can find just about anything on the web.

Jakob Nielsen tells us that research conducted by Nielsen Norman Group (he's Nielsen) found that web users were more attracted to ads featuring text only than those displaying pictures or animation.

Here's a news summary of the research.

I frequently tell people that everybody has access to the web - at home, at work, or at a public library.

But that really is not true.

People who do not use computers regularly often do not possess computer skills. So, web sites, membership directories, e-blasts, and online newsletters are not part of their worlds.

Many people do not have home computers and web access may be restricted at work.

Poor people don't have computers and a trip to the library does not always solve that problem. Libraries often have a limited number of computers, time limits are enforced, and it is presumed that visitors have computer and web skills. Many don't. Nursing home residents don't have computers, either.

Associations with an aging membership will be out of touch with many members if they rely exclusively on electronic communication. Telling members that print communication - which they prefer - is too expensive, won't help. If members lose touch with the association, they may not renew their dues or register for educational programs.

Sometimes, the demographics of web access are surprising. At one association, 90% of all members reported an email address (still, 10% were out of touch) and that statistic was consistent among all age groups. However, only 75% of the association's award winners - of all ages - were online (nobody could figure out why).

For any association activity, know your audiences and develop plans to best serve them. If they aren't online, you'll have to reach them another way. Telling them they are behind the times won't make them change - it may just make them decide your association is no longer worth supporting.

Associations should NOT follow the example of many web-based businesses that make it difficult, if not impossible, to contact them.

If people have a problem with membership info, registration, or any other interaction with the association, they should be able to easily contact someone to remedy the problem.

Some web-based businesses don't even have a "contact" button. "Help" sends you to an FAQ page where you have to scan an endless list of topics, hoping to find one that matches your problem. Others may charge a fee to contact them, even if the problem was their fault.

Association FAQ pages should be brief and not take the place of "contact."

We're in the people business. We should make it easy for people to contact us.

They must have all gone to the same educational conference and gotten lousy instruction.

Many college and university web sites are the least customer-focused of any around. Can you imagine associations doing something like this?

1. A college reports its upcoming Open House is full. Of course, the event has already taken place. No future Open Houses are announced, yet another page mentions there will be two more - but no dates are given.

2. Entrance requirements are posted on one, hard-to-find page. Different entrance requirements are posted on another page.

3. There is no information about housing costs, no links to another page, and no results on a site search. A Google search, however, yields a page that lists housing costs.

4. There is no button for housing. The viewer has to guess which one to click.

5. Applicants are told to take the ACT or SAT but required scores are not listed.

6. Graduation requirements cannot be located.

Problems with college and university web sites have been noted here and here and explanations for some of these problems have been identified.

Hopefully, associations will be able to avoid educators' mistakes.

There is no shortage of people ranting about the inadequacies of some web sites. Jakob Nielsen publishes an annual list of web site mistakes and others list errors committed by charities, businesses, and not-for-profits.

One thing the critics have in common is frustration - and amazement - with the lack of useful contact information on many sites.

Charities are among the worst. They'll let you donate money or volunteer your time, but they won't always let you contact them.

When there is a contact, it often appears in small print on one page (you have to search for it). Sometimes there is merely a form to complete which is sent to someone, somewhere.

Hospitals often prevent viewers from contacting specific people. Apparently, we are not supposed to bother doctors or administrators. I've seen a couple of sites that don't even list an address (I guess you are supposed to know where the facilities are located).

It might be easier to understand these "mistakes" if they were oversights. Unfortunately, they are often intentional.

I came across the site of a web developer that included a list of his clients, the services he provides, and even a download of his resume. But there was no e-mail contact. (I found it in an obscure spot on one of the pages).

Jakob Nielsen offered a list of web design mistakes a few years ago and it's still useful (#8 is my pet peeve today).

Charities often omit contact information. You can make a contribution or volunteer online, but you cannot email the charity. Sometimes there isn't even a mailing address (makes you wonder how legit it is). Or, "contact" is in teeny-tiny print at the bottom of the page.

Businesses may stymie consumers by forcing them to wade through an endless list of FAQs before arriving at contact info. Mailing addresses are often missing.

If you are going to promote yourself, you should make it easy for people to contact you. List an email link, telephone number, and mailing address so people can reach you in their desired mode.

What's so hard about that?

It’s a simple act that should take one click. Unfortunately, some people don’t want to be contacted that easily – if at all.

Some associations do not list any individual email contacts on their web sites – not for staff or board members. Others list contacts for everyone – except the CEO.

They may require visitors to sign up for Linkedin, or another site, in order to contact them. Or, they may force people to speak through blog comments, when a private conversation would be more appropriate.

Some groups disguise the contact button, assigning it a nondescript title that barely hints at its real purpose. Craftier ones hide the contact on one of many web pages, forcing visitors to search the entire site (perhaps that’s the point) to find it.

Associations are all about people who need people. Make it easy for the people who need you to contact you.