I believe that singbeach may be asking about email notifications through this forum.
Carol will jump in but I think there is only a flashing envelope in the upper right hand corner when you receive a message....no notification through personal email.
I just checked my PREFERENCES and it does allow the option to receive an email when a message is received.
I rarely send private or group messages so can't say with certainty if I have received email notifications; but I definitely see a red flashing envelope when I have a message.
I have no idea what picture you are talking about, but the flashing envelope is when you have a new private message. It is on the blue line, which is roughly right below where the ads are displayed.