Growl for Windows is a user notification framework that allows applications to use notifications. When the framework is installed in the system, any application can tap into it and use the framework to display custom notifications.
The best thing about Growl is that notifications are not just windows that randomly pop up. Any given application can create a notification that will have an importance rating, will stay on screen for a determined time, will run a sound or require a confirmation, will be read out loud by a text-to-speech engine, or will be forwarded to another computer. Any notification can carry out specific tasks as well. For example, when you get a notification from the program X, you can have Growl carry out any task that you can think of. You can even use boolean operators to do that. Furthermore, many applications now require Growl to display fancy notifications.
This port to Windows works like a charm. Although not as straight as the Mac version, it still remains highly customizable and produces high-quality and visually impressive notifications. There are many 'displays' (that is, forms) that you can use to customize notifications as well. The application still remains in beta status, but it is very usable.
Pros
- A highly customizable framework
- It works like a charm
Cons
- None