* Smith, Gil (gil.smith@netapp.com) [990406 15:59]:
I was going to slip "The Downward Spiral" onto our corporate phone system background music about four years ago - but far be it from me to dictate my musical tastes on everyone else.
Which is why most people (at least I did when I was a UNIX admin) prefer silence with maybe an auto attendant that will let you know the approx. wait time and how many people are ahead of you in the queue. At least then you can decide whether or not to remain on hold -- possibly offered the option to leave a message.
IMHO, Netapp should take a hint from Clearnet (wireless phone provider in Toronto, CA): give people a choice of music. Once the system determines that it has to put you on hold, it lets you choose from 4-6 genres.
(Of course, hitting the wrong button and thus having to listen to C&W while your filer is down could have -- unfortunate -- consequences...)