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Author Topic: email notifiers (whew)  (Read 4386 times)

Steven Avery

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email notifiers (whew)
« on: February 20, 2015, 02:27 AM »
Email notifiers seem like an unnecessary luxury, or obstacle.  However, in some businesses there are applications with real critical needs to know about the incoming mail, even quickly.

I thought this would be easy, that a few apps would fit, and I could choose one. However, it turns out that the quirky quotient is high, and things can be a bit puzzling.  Also I really wanted a program that still had support, even a forum, as this was going to be used by compatriots and I did not want it to flatten out 6 months later on new software versions, etc.

There are many features in some programs that I did not care about at the moment.  Working with one gmail account, I bypassed whether they handled a dozen accounts, or a dozen other email vendors, or calendar notifications, etc.

About 5 programs were tested that simply were not ready for prime time.  The best of this bunch was Spiffy.  Others were Kwerty, Popman, Gmail Notifier Plus, Mail Notifier. Another 10 programs were bypassed because they were clearly defunct or had a major disqualification.

I ignored gadget based programs. Multi-Email Notifier from India might be a good program.  However, the surrounding info was too sketchy. And now I see the comments here: https://www.youtube..../watch?v=dTYbgqXnkLY . Google discontinued some program they had.

====================

One neat feature is when the email notifier responds to particularly "labels" within the gmail account. That is a bit of a sleeper consideration for existing accounts.
(My gmail account had already been designed to handle only this important mail.)

Tablet is another issue.  I would like a good one for Androids and Airpads.

====================

3 Programs were left for Windows

Gmail Notifier Pro - Patrik Engstrom - http://www.gmailnotifier.se/
Forum - http://gmailnotifier...c.php?f=4&t=1875 (my post)
Cost - http://www.gmailnotifier.se/register.php
This may be the richest in overall features.  The post explains why it is currently out of consideration, which for many would be a minor issue.

Pop Peeper - Jeff Meier - http://www.poppeeper.com/
Pro - http://www.esumsoft....ucts/pop-peeper/pro/  (license required for biz use)
Forum - http://www.esumsoft.com/Forums/index.php
Plugin - Skin Notifier Plugin - needed for flexibility
This is very nice, with skins, the architecture can be a bit puzzling, since the skin sort of replaces the traditional notification. I have an email to Jeff about the best set-up.

PopTrayU - Jessica Brown - http://poptrayu.sourceforge.net/  - Free
Forum - https://sourceforge....poptrayu/discussion/
Plugin needed for Gmail - https://sourceforge....iles/latest/download
Extension of PopTray - http://poptray.org/index.php - many of the Poptray plugins should work.
Rather plain.  It was a little difficult to set up at first, because of the plugin need to get gmail to work. And also changing some settings. Used the forum.
At this time it is the leader as it is free (we will have 3 or more users) has support and can handle the specific need.

That is the overview, at this time.  The cost is modest for a small business of the first two.  All three have strengths, limitations and weaknesses.

Steven
« Last Edit: February 20, 2015, 02:32 AM by Steven Avery »

app103

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Re: email notifiers (whew)
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2015, 04:14 AM »
I have a need to watch more than one Gmail account, and the Gmail Watcher add-on for Firefox can watch up to 3, when using Google multiple sign in mode.

In addition to giving me a toaster style visual alert at the bottom of my screen, which I am not really that interested in, I can also have an optional audio alert, and I have it set with the most obnoxious wav file I can find.

A really nice option this has is how it can be set to automatically max your PC's volume when it plays that wav, then turn it back down to the way it was.

One thing some may not like is how it does require you to have your browser open and you to be logged in to Gmail at all times. Which is not a big deal for me, since I usually have it open, any way, and 2 of my browser tabs are dedicated to keeping me always logged into Gmail.

It's not all that complex, but it will definitely alert me when I have new mail, I can hear it in almost any room of my home (good when doing housework) and even wake me up if I happen to be napping. (which means I can nap during the day and still respond to incoming support tickets within 60 seconds  ;))

The post explains why it is currently out of consideration, which for many would be a minor issue.

If you need to have it repeat the alarm, it can be set to do that by unchecking the box for "only alert for new additional emails". And the frequency of the alarms would be controlled by the frequency it autochecks for new mail (the slider at the top).

Screenshot - 2_20_2015 , 4_30_26 AM.png

And if you want to use the same obnoxious wav file I am using, you can grab it out of the .zip of my PesterMe app.  ;)

Just imagine that playing at full volume every 60 seconds, till someone reads that e-mail, and you'll understand why I suggested it.  :D

Steven Avery

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Re: email notifiers (whew)
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2015, 06:38 AM »
I'll try the two main Firefox extensions.  Since I always have Firefox open, it may work well, however for the biz there are other individuals with different habits.  Plus, Firefox extensions have a bit of a quirkiness history with new releases. (Note: Gmail Watcher got into a little disagreement with Mozillazine.)

Here is the earlier discussion. 2012-2014

Good Multi-account (GMAIL included) email notifier
https://www.donation...ndex.php?topic=30417

The three I mostly reference are in the thread.

Steven
« Last Edit: February 20, 2015, 07:34 AM by Steven Avery »

wraith808

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Re: email notifiers (whew)
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2015, 10:31 AM »
I use Checker Plus for Gmail (and for Calendar), and it works well.

http://jasonsavard.c.../checkerPlusForGmail

I've not paid for it thus far, but am considering it if that gives any indication of my level of endorsement.  But that's more of a level of comfort of it just works.

The only issue I've had with it thus far has been the fact that when I login via mstsc vs directly, the notification doesn't adjust very well unless I close the browser and re-open it.

Steven Avery

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Re: email notifiers (whew)
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2015, 11:08 PM »
I'm not going to go with PopTrayU.  The developer is fine, but I hit an error in functioning once and to often I wait with a circular Windows icon. I don't think it is as stable and robust as I need.  This might be a function of the abandon and restart by another programmer history of the open source program.

Pop Peeper and Gmail Notifier Pro both get high marks.  Jeff from Pop Peeper was very helpful on private email.  Both have forums.

Gmail Notifier Pro - the 4-minute gap
http://gmailnotifier...c.php?f=4&t=1875

With the iOS I forward the gmail to the [email protected] email. Then I am told there are good alarm settings built right in. Checking that now (a sound, nothing persistent.)  The tablets are actually more important in the long run since the user can have them nearby even when out to lunch.

Not sure about Android.

Steven
« Last Edit: February 22, 2015, 01:27 AM by Steven Avery »