Explain the problem as you see it
I need a way for Tana to manipulate my attention. Currently, it has **zero **ways of providing feedback on my attention.
For example, I'd love for Tana to notify me when a criteria is met: Some examples:
Notification of deadlines: For example, system date/time matches the date/time field - as a notification that a time has been reached. This is useful for task completion, deadlines, approaching deadlines, spaced repetition...
Providing alerts of a word count being reached
In future, providing alerts about a duplicate node being created
Notifying collaborating members of new changes or mentions
Triggering certain reminders /prompts when editing in a particular supertagged node
Reminding the user to complete mandatory fields / checkboxes that are left incomplete when the node is collapsed
Announcements to corroborators
A new update is available, or downtime messages of the system
Borrowing inspiration from programmable attention from Andy Matuschak, and also the fact that nearly every social media platform uses notifications as a way of directing attention intentionally throughout their app/site. I think it's an important feedback mechanism.
Why is this a problem for you?
I often get absorbed into my work to the point that I lose track of time and get side-tracked sometimes... and sure I may use an external program or clock to try and do that. But if Tana is gunning for an "everything OS" then it should prevent contextual switching by helping to direct attention in intentional and user-engineered ways. I think that it is a meta-level way of helping to intentionalise our work and helping to corroborate with others.
Suggest a solution
Tana could have another button in its sidebar for 'notifications', and have the 'toast message' popup like it is using for AI notifications already. I'm sure a better implementation can be made.