Best way to integrate sound into website [closed]

Question

I am looking to integrate sound into a website. Basically a chat website where users will hear a sound when a new message arrives. What do you think is the best way to integrate sound?

1. Javascript to play the sound
2. Javascript to call a flash swf which plays the sound
3. Any other method I cant think of?

Thank you for your time.

Answer 1

A small swf with the sound controlled by javascript would the the way to go in terms of being cross platform and cross browser.

Answer 2

I would go with option #2. But, with a word of caution when integrating any sound into a web site, people often find it annoying, when a sound comes out of the blue.