Notifications System

The Fundus Image Management System includes a comprehensive notification system to keep you informed about important events, tasks, and updates. This guide explains how to use and manage notifications effectively.

Understanding Notifications

Notifications are messages sent to you about system events that require your attention or provide important information. They help you stay updated on:

• New grading assignments
• Completed tasks and reviews
• System announcements
• Messages from other users
• Upload status updates

Accessing Notifications

Notification Bell Icon

1. Look for the bell icon (🔔) in the top-right corner of the screen
2. A red dot indicates unread notifications
3. The number shows how many unread notifications you have
4. Click the bell to view a dropdown list of recent notifications

Notifications Page

For a complete view of all notifications: 1. Click the bell icon and select "View All Notifications" 2. Or navigate through the main menu: "Notifications" → "My Notifications" 3. This page shows all your notifications with advanced filtering options

Notification Types

System Notifications

• Announcements: Important system updates and maintenance notices
• Alerts: Critical system issues or urgent information
• Reminders: Automated reminders about pending tasks

Task Notifications

• New Assignments: New grading tasks assigned to you
• Task Updates: Changes to task status or priority
• Completion Notices: When tasks you're involved in are completed

User Messages

• Direct Messages: Messages from other users in your lab units
• Admin Messages: Communications from system administrators
• Peer Messages: Notifications from colleagues

Upload Notifications

• Upload Status: Updates on your image uploads
• Processing Results: Completion of batch processing
• Error Notifications: Issues with uploaded files

Managing Notifications

Viewing Notifications

1. Unread First: Unread notifications appear at the top in bold
2. Timestamp: Each notification shows when it was sent
3. Sender: See who sent the notification (system or user)
4. Type Indicator: Icons indicate the type of notification

Marking as Read

Individual Notifications: - Click the notification to open and view details - Click "Mark as Read" button - Or click the checkmark icon next to the notification

All Notifications: - Click "Mark All as Read" button - This marks all visible notifications as read - Useful for clearing a large number of notifications

Filtering Notifications

Use filters to find specific notifications:

By Type: - All notifications - System notifications only - Task notifications only - User messages only

By Status: - All notifications - Unread only - Read only

By Date: - Today - This week - This month - Custom date range

Sending Notifications

Composing Messages

You can send notifications to other users:

1. Click "Compose" in the notifications menu
2. Choose recipient type:
3. Administrators: Send to all system admins
4. Lab Peers: Send to users in your lab units
5. Fill in the message details:
6. Title: Brief subject line (max 100 characters)
7. Message: Detailed content (max 1000 characters)
8. Click "Send Message"

Message Guidelines

Best Practices: - Use clear, descriptive titles - Be concise but thorough in your message - Include relevant context or reference numbers - Follow professional communication standards

What to Include: - Your name and role - Reference to specific images or tasks (if applicable) - Clear action required (if any) - Contact information for follow-up

Broadcast Messages (Administrators Only)

System administrators can send broadcast messages to all users: 1. Navigate to "Notifications" → "Broadcast" 2. Compose your message 3. Select notification type (info, warning, alert) 4. Send to all active users

Notification Settings

Email Notifications

Configure email notifications for important updates: 1. Go to your profile settings 2. Select "Notification Preferences" 3. Choose which notifications trigger emails: - Task assignments - System announcements - Direct messages - Upload completions

In-App Notifications

Control how notifications appear in the application: - Sound alerts: Enable/disable notification sounds - Desktop notifications: Allow browser notifications - Auto-refresh: Set frequency for checking new notifications

Notification Icons and Colors

Icons

• 🔵 Info: General information and updates
• ⚠️ Warning: Important notices requiring attention
• ❌ Alert: Critical issues or urgent actions
• ✅ Success: Completed tasks or successful operations
• 📋 Task: Task-related notifications
• 💬 Message: Direct messages from users

Colors

• Blue: Informational notifications
• Yellow: Warnings and important notices
• Red: Alerts and critical issues
• Green: Success confirmations
• Gray: Read notifications

Best Practices

Managing Notifications

1. Regular Review: Check notifications daily
2. Prompt Action: Address urgent notifications immediately
3. Organize: Use filters to prioritize important notifications
4. Clean Up: Mark notifications as read to reduce clutter

Sending Effective Notifications

1. Clear Subject: Make titles informative and concise
2. Appropriate Priority: Use notification types correctly
3. Targeted Messages: Send only to relevant users
4. Professional Tone: Maintain professional communication

Privacy and Security

• Never share sensitive information in notifications
• Use direct messages for confidential information
• Report suspicious notifications to administrators
• Log out when using shared computers

Troubleshooting Notifications

Not Receiving Notifications

Check These Settings: 1. Verify your notification preferences in profile settings 2. Ensure you're assigned to correct lab units 3. Check browser permissions for desktop notifications 4. Verify email settings for email notifications

Common Solutions: - Refresh your browser - Clear browser cache - Check your spam folder for email notifications - Verify your account is active

Notification Display Issues

Problems and Solutions: - Notifications not loading: Refresh the page or check internet connection - Old notifications showing: Clear browser cache and refresh - Can't mark as read: Try refreshing the page - Missing notifications: Check your filters and date range

Sending Issues

If you can't send messages: - Verify you have permission to send messages - Check you're connected to the correct lab units - Ensure message content meets length requirements - Try sending a shorter test message

Mobile Notifications

Access on Mobile Devices

• Notifications are accessible on tablets and smartphones
• Use the mobile-optimized interface for best experience
• Enable browser notifications for real-time alerts

Mobile Considerations

• Check notification settings on your device
• Ensure the app has necessary permissions
• Use Wi-Fi for reliable notification delivery
• Bookmark the notification page for quick access

System Notifications

Types of System Messages

• Maintenance: Scheduled system maintenance
• Updates: New features or improvements
• Security: Important security information
• Outages: System downtime or issues

Responding to System Notifications

• Read system notifications promptly
• Follow any instructions provided
• Plan work around scheduled maintenance
• Report any issues mentioned in alerts

Getting Help with Notifications

Common Questions

Q: How long are notifications kept? A: Notifications are retained for 90 days, after which they are automatically archived.

Q: Can I recover deleted notifications? A: No, once notifications are marked as read and archived, they cannot be recovered.

Q: Why am I not receiving task notifications? A: Check your lab unit assignments and notification preferences in your profile settings.

Q: Can I export my notifications? A: Yes, use the export feature on the notifications page to download as PDF or CSV.

Contact Support

For notification issues: 1. Note the specific problem you're experiencing 2. Include screenshots if possible 3. Mention your browser and device information 4. Contact your system administrator

Future Enhancements

The notification system is continuously being improved with: - Enhanced filtering options - Mobile app notifications - Custom notification rules - Integration with external messaging systems

Provide feedback to help prioritize future developments.