NANY 2018 Release: Constant Info

[mat2016]

Application Name	Constant Info
Version	1.57
Short Description	A 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 Info	http://s355751075.onlinehome.us/constant-info-pro/
Download Link	Same as above
System Requirements	Windows 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.com/get/Network-Tools/Misc-Networking-Tools/Constant-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.

[rgdot]

From the description and screenshots, havent tried yet, very much good potential 

Will try and report back

[Ath]

The use of ALL CAPS titles and bold in message-boxes is somewhat disturbing/non-standard behavior, but it does have good potential.

[mat2016]

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]

hi mat2016,
looks very comprehensive

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...

[Ath]

... 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]

... 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]

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]

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]

Thanks for the response and explanations Mat

[mat2016]

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.

[IainB]

[Ath]

[mat2016]

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.