I like the picture. I could then UNcheck the iPod stuff since I don't use one. :)

I forgot about one thing here. With a new version, and as far as things are now, this box will show two iPod related items: What versions of the iPod work/do not work, and a link how to set up the iPod and iTunes for MM sync. Like all other items, this will show only once per install, but at least people would be noticed that newer iPod sync is not as easy as it stated in MM webpage.
I hope we can reduce this way a lot of new posts in the Device Synchronization forum.

So let me refine this idea. What MM could do is:
1) Check a file in the internet, where all news stored for an specific version is there (that keeps file size down)
2) MM checks what items has been already displayed (info stored in MM database)
3) MM displays the new items, ordered by warning level. If there is no new items, do not show the pop up.

So, on the first run, the user selects what news items to show. Let me tell you, I only think three categories are important: Device sync problems, new stable versions, new beta versions. Any other category I would say is not so important, and many would consider it as spam. I can only think of a standing bug list as somewhat that some people would find interesting enough.

As one image is more useful than hundred of images (used Trixmoto's form builder webpage):
[img]http://i38.tinypic.com/14sdwz7.png[/img]

So, let me give you typical user experiences:

So let's say a new user installs MM for the first time. As this news box is enabled, if will show the new versions and iPod sync problems, if any. This way, new users will know of any potential problem that is being investigated.

Another case, a new firmware version for the iPod appears. Then, next time you start MM, the pop up will show you that "New iPod firmware not verified, users at risk!", or "New iPod firmware not working, expect trouble!"

Of course, there are things people would not care about. I personally do not care about iPods, so I would tick off that category, and I really like to be on the bleeding edge, so I would tick the new beta versions category.

I know this new box is easily scripted, but even so, we will only benefit from it if it is part of the default installation and MM developers and/or forum moderators can easily change the news items. Like the Tips of the Day window, it should be easy to discard and to configure not to show again, and the first time MM is run, it needs to be shown. And the box should not show up regurarly, only where important stuff is happening.

I hope this idea has become better this way. Thanks, spacefish, for pointing typical user usage out.

I always turn startup tips off on new programs. If it was [i]only [/i]news, I suppose I might turn them back on but otherwise I'd miss it. I have enough trouble starting up MM anyway without the tips. :P

Nice idea!

Update: This is for the Official Wishlist
Newsbox that appears at MM start up
[img]http://i38.tinypic.com/14sdwz7.png[/img]
The idea is that while starting up, MM does the following:
[list][*]MM checks what the user wants to be informed about (in the image, new versions and iPod stuff). Let's call each of them channels.[*]For the channels selected, MM should download a file which location depends on the version used and channel selected. This keeps download size at minimum.[*]From the files, MM extracts news items.[*]MM checks what news items have already been showed, and discard those.[*]If there are news items left, show them in the form. If not, do not show the form at all. [/list]
So this works like an RSS feed. Developers should be able to add new items. Also, forum moderators should be able to get new items, specially iPod related (like reporting users not able to sync).
The whole idea is to keep people informed about compatibilities problems related to iPods, as there are many that are unlikely to visit the forums first, and documentation cannot be keep up to date.
Regards.

Previous text:

Hi,
as somebody that reads the forum every often, it looks like many people would be satisfied if instead of the Tips of the Day window, a "News" window appears with related items to MM. Like new versions or [i]Apple new firmwares untested/non working with MM[/i]. I hope you get the point here. It looks like many people read the MM website, but did not go into the forums and some of them are pretty annoyed. This way, they will know if there is any issues with their devices.
Of course, this option should be something you will be able to disable, like the Tips of the Day window.
Regards.