An Attention Seeking Database

A recent thread https://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=295318 prompted me to compile a demo database showing many of the ways of getting users' attention.

Some of the features have already been posted in other threads e.g. in sample databases / code repository
Experienced users will be familiar with many of these ideas already.

Features include various ways of creating messages to get users' attention including:
1. Formatted message boxes
2. Customised message boxes with HTML formatting & countdown timer
3. Flashing, scrolling and balloon tooltip text
4. Dim / blur / remove background
5. Adding warning sounds (use speakers if possible)



NOTE: Some items are meant to be less serious than others!

In addition, I have incorporated a simple 'You have 3 new messages' type feature as described by both CJ_London & Static in the other thread.



The zip file includes images & sounds used by the DEMO database.

Please don't overdo ANY of the more 'overt' methods or you will annoy the users of your databases!

Hopefully the code for each approach is easy to follow.

Any comments, brickbats, questions or issues, please send me a visitor or private message

I've updated the sample database partly in response to a request from another user in this thread:
https://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=295318

Amongst the changes made in v3 are:
1. Added code so the number of unread user messages are now checked/updated at regular intervals - default = 10s

2. Added a button to allow you to add new user messages
NOTE: one new user message is automatically generated each day the db is opened

3. Added additional effects on the 'Add a bit more drama' item including the use of 'Text to Speech'

EDIT
The attached zip file does not include the sounds & images used by the program.
These are part of the zip file attached to the first post

An Attention Seeking Database - UPDATED

I've updated this to version 4 so it can also be used in 64-bit Access.
This is in response to a user in this thread:
https://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=295617

I've also added an on screen keyboard for any users running Access on a tablet
It has no effect on other machines

NOTE:
The balloon tooltip item currently won't work in 64-bit
I'll come back to this at another time

this is great why didn't i see this earlier

great work thanks for sharing

Attached is an updated version of this utility

I'm pleased to say, the system tray balloon tooltip alert feature now also works in 64-bit Access.
The only change made is to the class module BalloonTooltip

Many thanks to riti90 for doing the majority of the conversion for this module to 64-bit code

ridders said:

Attached is an updated version of this utility

I'm pleased to say, the system tray balloon tooltip alert feature now also works in 64-bit Access.
The only change made is to the class module BalloonTooltip

Many thanks to riti90 for doing the majority of the conversion for this module to 64-bit code

Click to expand...

Need to be approved :c

Juleehz

Thanks for pointing out that I'd forgotten to approve my own attachment!
It's now FINALLY available for download.

Just a reminder to report your own post to moderated areas as it will significantly speed up the time taken to respond.

isladogs said:

Attached is an updated version of this utility

I'm pleased to say, the system tray balloon tooltip alert feature now also works in 64-bit Access.
The only change made is to the class module BalloonTooltip

Many thanks to riti90 for doing the majority of the conversion for this module to 64-bit code

Click to expand...

It's not a big deal. But I thought you may need to hear it.

I have a triple-monitor setup.
Remove Background button, removes all background for all monitors.
But when I click Add a little bit more drama button, only main monitor shows the change in wallpaper and mouse movement.
The other two monitors are intact.

Thanks for letting me know.
I was aware the secondary monitor display wasn't being altered though as I 'only' have 2 monitors so had no means of testing beyond that.
TBH the 'bit of drama' was really intended as a bit of fun at the end.
However, listing all the details about the user's PC and messing around with the display did have a serious purpose ... a warning to those who weren't aware such info could easily be obtained ...and of course much more info as well

I had originally intended to use geolocation based on user IP address to show a map of where the user was ... but of course its not that precise or reliable. My IP address is supposedly 100 miles from my real location.

Mind you, since I did that app, I found a way of doing it accurately on portable devices using the geosensor built in to laptops / tablets
See https://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=299932

Perhaps, I'll update this someday....

Update to version 6.2 attached. Changes include:
a) updated all API declarations to streamline code / fix minor issues
b) added two new features - scrolling & flashing text in form title bar
These were done partly in response to a request by the OP in this thread https://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=307699



Also attached is the simple application done to demonstrate different types of scrolling text on a form

As this thread is closed, please provide any feedback or suggestions for new features by sending me a PM or email (using the link below).
Alternatively, start a new thread with a link to this one