gistfile1.js

// in a controller
// you can either update the collection directly or send
// a message in the LAZO.app dispatcher 
// (you can use a controller dispatcher if you want to be more granular)
var socket = io();
var self = this;
var notifications = this.ctx.collections.notifications;

// three different approaches to re-rendering a badge count
socket.on('notification', function (msg) {
  // manipulate collection directly
  notifications.add(msg);
  // app level dispatcher
  LAZO.app.trigger('notification', msg);
  // your base class could have a simpler broadcast, emitter functionality 
  // (if you want to know how to accomplish this let me know)
  self.trigger('notification', msg); 
});

// if notifications is driving a lazo collection view then the UI will be updated
// if you only care about updating a badge count then you can bind to the collection
// change event in a lazo base view
afterRender: function () {
  var notifications = this.ctl.ctx.collections.notifications;
  // listener is dependent on how you are triggered the message
  
  // collection based change listener
  self.listenTo(notifications, 'all', function () {
    self.notificationCount = notifications.length;  
    self.render();
  });
  
  // app level dispatcher
  LAZO.app.on('notification', function () {
    self.notificationCount = notifications.length;  
    self.render();    
  });
  
  this.ctl.on('notification', function () {
    self.notificationCount = notifications.length;  
    self.render();        
  });
}