How do I get a desktop notification from a web app?

Question

I need to create a web app for a client, and one of the requirements is whenever an event is triggered there should be some desktop notification in Windows XP/7 that tells them of the event. Similar to the balloon that pops-up when a new file is added to a folder in Dropbox.

I am using Rails for the web app, but have never done any desktop development. What should I be looking at?

Answer 1

Would this: Growl Notifications from a Web Server

plus Growl for windows meet your needs? http://www.growlforwindows.com/gfw/developers.aspx