Thanks for all the replies. I never read that line about the foot shifting from the Paul site. Yes, it does get your shoe dirty but I use an old pair of mountain bike shoes that are pretty dirty already so it doesn't bother me much. I use one of the cleats on the heel to shift. It does work and pretty smoothly too.
I will use a fd as it just makes more sense (especially seeing how I'm getting new road shoes). I use a fixed rd now and was just wondering about the Melvin. It just looks too cool . . .
Thanks again.