# Managing App Notifications *This note is specific to my own usecases* ## Context Notifications(on the computer, mobile, etc) are a good tool to help keep on top of the daily events that transpire but, if not purposefully managed, could have it's usefulness undermined. For many people, the problem has resulted in notifications overload - leading to a person either ignoring the notifications due to the clutter or to being so overwhelmed that it adds undue anxiety to their daily life. In trying to manage the notifications that I personally receive, these are some considerations I have: - Notifications are disruptive by nature and should be ***reserved for events which require immediate/close-to-immediate responses*** - ***Consumption of non-crucial events should be left for voluntary consumption*** - meaning that I should check it at-will and on my own terms as opposed to being interrupted - I use multiple devices (laptops, desktops, tablets) and have the same app/service installed across multiple devices which could lead to duplicate notifications. It would be wise to ***minimise duplicate notifications where possible*** ## Platform Specific Practices Taking the above into consideration, here is how I manage the various platforms(I will extend the list when time permits):- >[!info]- Telegram >There are 3 main types of chats on the Telegram app - Personal chats(1:1), Group Chats(many:many) and Channels(1:many) - and I use it to >1. maintain communication with other individuals (friends, family, professional contacts, etc) >2. engage in group discussion/coordination(work chats, interest groups, etc) >3. receive newsfeeds and project feeds >4. receive emergency notifications (network downtime reports, economic market alerts, emergency broadcasts from state channels, etc) > >**Policy** >Refer to [[Telegram Folder Organisation System]] for how I organise my folders > >Only 4 folders are set to push notifications - with only 1 out of them being able to still send out notifications even if the device was set to "Do Not Disturb". >- "L150 - Alerts" is for the most time sensitive notifications and attempts to disrupt and get my attention. It uses an annoying alarm ringtone at maximum volume and is deliberately meant to function that way regardless of the social setting i'm in because alerts in this category require immediate response. >- "L40 - Important", "L110 - Excalibur" and "Personal" are set to send out notifications but will be muted if the device is set to "Do Not Disturb" >- I have also added exceptions to important group chats like those of family and close friends who also bypass the "Do No Disturb" mode. > > This structure allows me to > - receive notifications only from what I have deemed to be important to me > - allows me to mute everything except critical alerts > - allows me to consume all other messages in a voluntary manner at my own time > > With telegram running across my multiple devices, i receive notifcations across all of them and have yet to figure out a way to minimise duplication >[!info] Discord > *-pending-* >[!info] Emails > *-pending-* >[!info] Generic Applications > *-pending-* --- To have a conversation with me about this note, email me at [email protected] To understand why I chose to use email over comments, [[Why I'm using email instead of comments|read this]].