I was talking about sound design for user-interfaces with some colleagues today and remembered this gem. Back in 2004, I asked Brad Sucks to help with some sound design for the open-source instant messaging app, Gaim.

The sounds he came up with hold up well even 22 years later. I remember an interesting debate around whether the send or receive sound should have an “upward” tone (like asking a question), or “downward” tone. It depends whether you consider it a notification if your receipt, or the other persons sending (also see moving meetings “ahead” or “back”).

Hat tip to Brad for keeping his post about the sounds alive to this day. Cool URIs don’t change!

(and yes, I’ve reached the “blogging about my own old blog posts” stage)