Full article: Why Is That Thing Beeping? A Sound Design PrimerWhy Is That Thing Beeping wrote:Affirmative sounds can go a long way towards delineating the brand of an otherwise featureless desktop application without introducing any difficult user interface issues. One instant messaging client called Adium uses an icon of a cartoon duck as its mascot. As you may expect, it also makes whimsical little quacks and squawks when your buddies log in and message you. Yes, it’s more fun to use than its more bland competitors.
It's an older article (Aug 2004) but I don't remember it being mentioned on the old forums.
