Users wishing to get handy desktop-bound updates of e-mails, tweets and un-read items in Google Reader should check out CloudSN, a multi-service notification applet that integrates with the Ubuntu Messaging Menu.
Here is CloudSN (which stand for Cloud Services Notifications) in action, showing the current unread count for my Google Reader account in Ubuntu 10.04’s Messaging Menu:
Currently the service is able to send you notifications for: –
- GMail
- Google Reader
- Identi.ca
- POP3
- IMAP
New updates are also displayed using Ubuntu’s new native NotifyOSD “Growl-like” bubbles, which is great to see — you can set a maximum number of bubbles a service shows to avoid being flooded with toasts for every one of those 453 emails you haven’t yet read!
CloudSN can be used as a standard GNOME panel applet too, should you not wish to use the messaging menu: –
Installation
CloudNS (like everything else cool in life) has its own dedicated PPA, which supports Ubuntu 10.04 LTS ‘Lucid Lynx’ and Ubuntu 9.10 ‘Karmic Koala’. Using the PPA is the recommended way to install CloudSN in Ubuntu as it ensures you get future updates, automatically:
- sudo add-apt-repository ppa:chuchiperriman/cloudsn
- sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install cloudsn
Once installed, run CloudSN from the Applications > Internet menu.
By default CloudSN will default to its bog-o standard GNOME applet. For the cool Messaging Menu integration I’ve been banging on about, you have to manually enable it: –
- Right-click the CloudSN tray icon
- Choose ‘Preferences’
- In the accounts window that opens go to Edit > Preferences
- In the ‘General’ tab select ‘Indicate status with: Indicator Applet’
Future web service support in CloudSN
Facebook support is targeted for inclusion in later editions of CloudSN, providing Facebook notifications of:
- New friend requests
- New event requests
- New wall posts
- Photo comments/tags
Is there another integration you’d like to see this support? Let the developer know!