[haiku-development] Re: Notification Server?
- From: "Ryan Leavengood" <leavengood@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: haiku-development@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 23 May 2007 12:43:40 -0400
On 5/23/07, Euan Kirkhope <euan.kirkhope@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I agree with you that such an interface is important, and useful. The
only request I would have is that it is aesthetically in tune with the
gui, minimalist in disruption and appearance, and looks nothing like
what was attempted in Zeta!
I don't know what was done in Zeta, but I definitely want this to fit
in with the GUI and not be annoying. I plan to have a simple checkbox
to completely disable the notifications if the user does not want
them.
On 5/23/07, Jonas Sundström <jonas@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I don't think I've used it myself, but there's the InfoPopper:
http://www.bebits.com/app/4163
Interesting, I will definitely look at what was done with InfoPopper.
The advantage we have here is that the Notification Server can be
nicely integrated into the system so some things can be easier (like a
per application notification filter which apparently was tricky for
InfoPopper.)
On 5/23/07, DarkWyrm <darkwyrm@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Personally, I have never seen it done well. Ever. Not on Ubuntu, not on
Windows, and not on Zeta. In theory, they are a good idea, but in
practice they serve to be an annoyance. There are two main problems with
this method. The problem with popup notifications is that they interrupt
the user and the user's work. They are also visually distracting if the
user attempts to ignore them. Lastly, they also suffer from the same
problems as BAlerts -- they are too easy for a lazy developer to use, so
it ends up being used for all sorts of stuff, like a new song being
played in the MP3 player, an update to the weather forecast, and to ask
you if your refrigerator's running. ;P
I definitely agree they are overused and practically abused on
Windows. I haven't found the Ubuntu/GNOME version too bad. I must say
music and weather forecast updates are definitely approaching annoying
;)
The main thing that annoys me about the Windows tray notifications is
that they cause the task bar to unhide when they show, and it won't
rehide until they go away. That is definitely annoying. This is why I
suggest that the Haiku Notification Server be able to display
notifications where ever, either in a user specified spot or where the
application suggests. They should not steal the focus and should not
be overly obtrusive.
These kinds of notifications are best suited to the most critical of
problems. The only other good application that I could see these
notifications being good for would be for event reminders ("You have an
iChat conference with Steve Jobs in 15 minutes.").
I find these useful for notification about updates (at least in
Ubuntu, I hate Windows Update), when the network is having problems
(especially wireless), and when BitTorrent downloads have finished
(uTorrent does this.) Event reminders is great too. New mail
notifications might be good, then of course IM events like InfoPopper
was first created for. I think there are a lot of good uses. But
believe me I agree it should not be abused, and in addition to a total
ON/OFF checkbox, I think a per app filter/checkbox would be good.
Ryan
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