This is Signal vs. Noise, a weblog by 37signals about design, business, experience, simplicity, the web, culture, and more. Established 1999 in Chicago. Visit the Product Blog for more information on our products.

Heh – I posted the same thoughts about the Gizmo site when I came across it last year.

If ever there was a page crying out for a Flash demo this has got to be it. I actually took the liberty of putting one together, which you can see on my post.

Even my rough-and-ready version makes it easier to get a feel for the tool’s features.

Pretty much everything about iSquint is hilarious. The dev is a class act.

I’m not a fan of the nagware it’s become since the Techspansion purchase, but it’s his app to do with as he wants.

Scratch that: I thought that iSquint had been purchased, but it seems that perhaps Tyler just added the commercial version (VisualHub) himself. Whichever.

Ow my eyes! I would probably organize the Gizmo Project feature details list like so:

During a call: – Add Sound Effects to your calls – open the Dialpad at the bottom of Gizmo Project window and press the emoticon button during a call. You can choose other sounds (or upload your own) from the options menu. – Send a call subject – enter the purpose of your call in the Gizmo Project window – Check call quality from the Gizmo Project window – View a map of locations for call participants by clicking Map It in the active call window – Record the call – use the Rec button in the active call window, next to the mute and hold buttons.

From your contacts list: – Make a call using a Gizmo name or number. Gizmo to Gizmo calls are always free. You can also call any traditional phone using Call Out. – Pick online status – Green: Available, Red: Away/Do not disturb, Orange: Idle, Blue: On the phone, Grey: Invisible/Offline – Choose an avatar —Click Change in the Profile window, then browse your folders to find the picture you would like to use as your avatar. – See online status of all contacts – Instant Messaging (IM) – Chat instantly with your contacts.

From the chat window: – Share files with family and friends by clicking on the Send File button. You can also send a file by selecting Send File under the Contacts menu. – Create a group chat and talk with all of your friends at once. To create or join a group chat select Join Group Chat under the Contacts menu.

Well, that was supposed to have line breaks… oops.

That “Help” menu cracks me up. I actually find it more useful than most application’s Help utilities! :)

There won’t be many people placing a smiley face next to the brussels sprouts, I can tell you that. Well maybe round Christmas, its a tradition to have them and not like them.

Now it’s interesting what happens when you actually click on one of those “Help” paragraphs :)

ahahah that’s some funny ass shit

hummm…kinda wondering why 37singals or DHH is not doing a blog entry on Adobe Flex/Apollo or Microsoft Silverlight/DLR.

both technologies seem to fuse the power of the desktop(offline) with the everywhere web(online).

What do you guys think RoR going to be in the next wave, Web 3.0?

What’s your problem with brussels sprouts, douchebags.

Abel & Cole are pretty good on the human-side of the service too. A great site’s not going to help if you can’t fulfil on the service. The delivery drivers are happy to keep keys for lockable storage boxes, as theft of the boxes is sadly all too common in London. They resolve problems fast and normally compensate for problems with free goodies.

They went through a dodgy patch a while ago as they experienced a very quick expansion of customer numbers, but they handled it well. Honest and straightfoward communication about the issue, a commitment to sorting it out, and then going on to fix it.

PS: my problem with brussel sprouts is that they are clearly Satan’s vegetable.

Brussels sprouts are utterly delish if you cook them al dente with bacon and or chestnuts and dress with decent butter, salt, pepper. They are completely vile and stinky if you overcook them and lob em on a plate. Most people had them made the latter way when they were kids and formed a strong prejudice.

Love that iSquint help menu. I just saw that the other day – glad someone thought to send it in!

Clods of dirt would be delish if you cooked them with bacon, chestnuts, butter, and salt. At that point, you’re just providing something to hold that salt and fat together.

Abel and Cole also ran a very well designed paper flyer. They got my business just off the back of that. Will see if I can find and share.

I know I should probably just drop you an e-mail, but I came across this amazing music video and for some reason though of 37signals and the whole SvN eye for pretty things :) http://www.dailymotion.com/featured/video/x1upou_justice-dance