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Author Topic: NANY 2018 Release: Constant Info  (Read 16103 times)

mat2016

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NANY 2018 Release: Constant Info
« on: December 31, 2017, 04:24 PM »
Application NameConstant Info
Version 1.57
Short DescriptionA program to display important notices in a workgroup setting or dated reminders in single user mode.
Supported OSes Windows 7 and higher
Web Page / More Infohttp://s355751075.on...s/constant-info-pro/
Download Link Same as above
System RequirementsWindows OS
Author Michael Todd

A program to add/update one line reminders or notices of important events in a work group setting.

Each item may contain the following:

1) Item Description
2) Item Priority 0 to 5 (displayed with different colors)
3) Item Date (defaults to today's date and can repeat Monthly, Biweekly and Weekly)
4) Filename or URL Link for the item
5) Extra text or instructions for other users in the work group.

Items may also be filtered once read. If another user makes a file change then items are re-displayed and the user is notified of changes. The items are constantly scrolled in a short 1-line window in a location of your choice. Thus far the program has been reviewed by SoftPedia (http://www.softpedia...stant-Info-Pro.shtml). I wasn't quite finished with it when they 'grabbed' it from my blog. I have a handful of other apps on their site.

Any feedback is welcome. I am still working on Advance notifications of dated items so it can be used as a general Reminder program.

[I also added the version that uses SQLite in the Blog page.]

2017-11-05 08_53_18-Greenshot.pngNANY 2018 Release: Constant Info
2017-10-28 16_07_29-ADD ITEM.pngNANY 2018 Release: Constant Info
2017-10-28 20_37_09-INFO FILE EDIT IN PROGRESS.pngNANY 2018 Release: Constant Info
2017-10-28 16_12_26-INFO UPDATE NOTICE.pngNANY 2018 Release: Constant Info
2017-10-28 16_09_25-About Constant Info Pro.pngNANY 2018 Release: Constant Info
2017-10-28 16_06_11-UPDATE INFO_ C__Users_toddm_Desktop_ConstantInfoPro.txt.pngNANY 2018 Release: Constant Info
« Last Edit: January 01, 2018, 08:33 PM by mat2016 »

rgdot

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Re: NANY 2018 Release: Constant Info
« Reply #1 on: December 31, 2017, 11:42 PM »
From the description and screenshots, havent tried yet, very much good potential  :Thmbsup:

Will try and report back

Ath

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Re: NANY 2018 Release: Constant Info
« Reply #2 on: January 01, 2018, 04:19 AM »
The use of ALL CAPS titles and bold in message-boxes is somewhat disturbing/non-standard behavior, but it does have good potential.

mat2016

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Re: NANY 2018 Release: Constant Info
« Reply #3 on: January 01, 2018, 09:03 AM »
The scrolling info is constantly updated but if users are not at their PC I created the notification window so they'll see it when they come back. I made bold just to be more in your face, especially if it's regarding some network resource, application or website that is down and they are responsible for fixing it. Users can click "Suppress Update Notices" from the menu to not have this window displayed. I figured if it's used in a Production area, that popup may interfere with processes already running.

tomos

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Re: NANY 2018 Release: Constant Info
« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2018, 04:26 AM »
hi mat2016,
looks very comprehensive :up:

is there any way to disable the scrolling of the text?
I'd prefer no scrolling at all (I find it very distracting), but realise some info might not be visible then...
Tom

Ath

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Re: NANY 2018 Release: Constant Info
« Reply #5 on: January 05, 2018, 06:25 AM »
... I made bold just to be more in your face, especially ...
That will bring the 'attention value' in the same league as double confirmations (1st: 'do you want to delete this?' 2nd: 'are you really sure?'): they won't be noticed anymore, and only dismissed asap without reading/comprehending the message.

A useful feature would be a list of previous notifications (timestamped), easily accessible from the UI

IainB

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Re: NANY 2018 Release: Constant Info
« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2018, 11:11 AM »
... I made bold just to be more in your face, especially ...
That will bring the 'attention value' in the same league as double confirmations (1st: 'do you want to delete this?' 2nd: 'are you really sure?'): they won't be noticed anymore, and only dismissed asap without reading/comprehending the message.
A useful feature would be a list of previous notifications (timestamped), easily accessible from the UI
I always recommend putting up text in a 14-point solid black bold font, with a bright green background and flashing yellow highlight on the text - it is generally far more reliable at getting people's attention.
If a reader can't perceive that, then they would arguably already be blind anyway.

mat2016

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Re: NANY 2018 Release: Constant Info
« Reply #7 on: January 05, 2018, 05:17 PM »
I will think about adding a list of missed or changed notices while users are away from their computer instead of the Bold CAPITAL message box. Just keep in mind I do give them the option to Suppress that message.

Thanks for the suggestions. There's 500 downloads on SoftPedia but no one is leaving comments. I'm open to any ideas for improvements.

mat2016

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Re: NANY 2018 Release: Constant Info
« Reply #8 on: January 06, 2018, 10:58 AM »
tomos,

I didn't see your post yesterday. It's difficult to disable the scrolling because who knows how long the text will be. I designed the program with IT Help Desks and other work groups in mind so they would have a visual indication of ongoing issues. My group at work does send out email alerts but sometimes issues are fixed long before another email is sent.

Users can right click any info item and Hide it. Once the last item has been hidden the scroll window will disappear.  If any item is then added or changed, the window will reappear.

tomos

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Re: NANY 2018 Release: Constant Info
« Reply #9 on: January 06, 2018, 05:27 PM »
Thanks for the response and explanations Mat
Tom

mat2016

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Re: NANY 2018 Release: Constant Info
« Reply #10 on: January 06, 2018, 07:20 PM »
Ath and IainB,

I removed the Bold text from the change notification window, reduced to 11 point size and added a Stop Showing button. This allows users to quickly stop seeing it if they feel it is TMI.

2018-01-06 20_07_50-INFO UPDATE NOTICE.pngNANY 2018 Release: Constant Info

IainB

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Re: NANY 2018 Release: Constant Info
« Reply #11 on: January 07, 2018, 01:51 AM »
 ;)

Ath

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Re: NANY 2018 Release: Constant Info
« Reply #12 on: January 07, 2018, 04:38 AM »
 ;)

mat2016

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Re: NANY 2018 Release: Constant Info
« Reply #13 on: January 07, 2018, 10:35 AM »
tomos,

I forgot to point out that the program's menu has a Window Fader option which makes it transparent after 30 seconds. You simply mouse over the window to turn off transparent. I realized that it may be too much of a distraction for some users so I added this early on.