How would one go about displaying taskbar notifications?
I want to write an app that periodically displays a flash card esque notification, the intention is to see if a 5 second or so distraction every hour can help with language learning.
Target language is c#
In .NET you can use the Notification Icon to place a notification in the system tray.
For the application you describe, I probably wouldn't use a notification icon or taskbar icon. You'll likely need a larger window displayed, with larger font.
I'd open a frameless window (possibly faded or scrolled into view) that sits in the lower-left of the desktop. (Although of course remember that not everyone has the taskbar at the bottom of the screen).
As an example, look at what Outlook or many RSS readers do to notify of new messages - this feature is commonly called a "toast" pop-up.
If you want to go the WPF route you might look at CodeProject http://www.codeproject.com/KB/WPF/WPF_TaskbarNotifier.aspx