I am working on ux for a desktop application for users. I am looking to find out more information, answers, best practices when it comes to handling notifications of actions and other alerts within a desktop application. Obviously I have seen how StackExchange handles notifications but since this is a desktop application instead of web it is a question I wanted to source.
Included is an image in this post that will display the two options I have been looking at. Both options seem to be the most common display areas that I have researched as well as seen active in many other applications. Currently the standalone desktop application opens to the default 1024x768 size but also has the ability to be scaled fullscreen to any size window the user is using. What concerns me is when a user full screens the application to a size such as 2560x1440 and a notification displays I don't want them to miss this notification.
Option 1: In my mockup the notification bar alerts the user by sliding down from the top of the desktop application. The left and right arrows inside the notification represent the ability to scroll back or forward to previous notification messages. The notification would have a 4 Second display time before auto hiding or the user has the ability to click X to close. Note: This notification would cover the top menu navigation bar when sliding down.
Option 2: In my mockup the notification bar alerts the user by sliding up from the bottom right of the desktop application. The left and right arrows inside the notification represent the ability to scroll back or forward to previous notification messages. The notification would have a 4 Second display time before auto hiding or the user has the ability to click X to close. Note: This notification would cover only minimal content display.
So my questions:
- Are the options I am displaying the best solutions for users to see the notification without covering up to much content and ruining the experience?
- Is one option losing the users vision over the other?
- Would there be better areas or ways to handle these notifications in a desktop application that I am missing?