Properties of IM
n Media switching happens frequently
ˇ Used to coordinate F2F meetings, telephone
ˇ Easily recordable
n Variable presence
ˇ Can be anyplace: need location and time for coordination
tasks
ˇ Idleness hard to determine
n Even with manually set “away” features
n Lightweight, small footprint
ˇ Multitasking frequently
ˇ Short conversations