Bonnie A. Nardi and Steve Whittaker discuss findings from an ethnographic study of instant messaging (IM) in the workplace and its implications for media theory. They describe how IM supports informal communication tasks such as quick questions, coordination, and social meetings. They highlight the affordances of IM that support flexible and expressive communication. They also describe unexpected uses of IM that highlight aspects of communication not covered in current media theory, such as communicative processes for connecting with others and managing communication, rather than information exchange. These processes are called "outeraction." They discuss how outeractional aspects of communication affect media choice and patterns of media use. The study involved 20 participants from two companies, including executives, marketing specialists, graphic artists, software developers, and others. They were interviewed about their use of IM and other communication technologies. The study found that IM was used for informal communication, including quick questions, coordination, and social interactions. IM was also used to negotiate availability for conversations, maintain a sense of connection, and switch media during a conversation. IM was found to be more flexible and expressive than other communication technologies. It allowed for casual, informal, and friendly communication. IM was also used to keep in touch with friends and family while at work. The study found that IM was used for a variety of tasks, including quick questions, coordination, and social interactions. It was also used to negotiate availability for conversations, maintain a sense of connection, and switch media during a conversation. The study found that IM was used in a variety of ways, including for informal communication, coordination, and social interactions. It was also used to negotiate availability for conversations, maintain a sense of connection, and switch media during a conversation. The study found that IM was more flexible and expressive than other communication technologies. It allowed for casual, informal, and friendly communication. IM was also used to keep in touch with friends and family while at work. The study found that IM was used for a variety of tasks, including quick questions, coordination, and social interactions. It was also used to negotiate availability for conversations, maintain a sense of connection, and switch media during a conversation.Bonnie A. Nardi and Steve Whittaker discuss findings from an ethnographic study of instant messaging (IM) in the workplace and its implications for media theory. They describe how IM supports informal communication tasks such as quick questions, coordination, and social meetings. They highlight the affordances of IM that support flexible and expressive communication. They also describe unexpected uses of IM that highlight aspects of communication not covered in current media theory, such as communicative processes for connecting with others and managing communication, rather than information exchange. These processes are called "outeraction." They discuss how outeractional aspects of communication affect media choice and patterns of media use. The study involved 20 participants from two companies, including executives, marketing specialists, graphic artists, software developers, and others. They were interviewed about their use of IM and other communication technologies. The study found that IM was used for informal communication, including quick questions, coordination, and social interactions. IM was also used to negotiate availability for conversations, maintain a sense of connection, and switch media during a conversation. IM was found to be more flexible and expressive than other communication technologies. It allowed for casual, informal, and friendly communication. IM was also used to keep in touch with friends and family while at work. The study found that IM was used for a variety of tasks, including quick questions, coordination, and social interactions. It was also used to negotiate availability for conversations, maintain a sense of connection, and switch media during a conversation. The study found that IM was used in a variety of ways, including for informal communication, coordination, and social interactions. It was also used to negotiate availability for conversations, maintain a sense of connection, and switch media during a conversation. The study found that IM was more flexible and expressive than other communication technologies. It allowed for casual, informal, and friendly communication. IM was also used to keep in touch with friends and family while at work. The study found that IM was used for a variety of tasks, including quick questions, coordination, and social interactions. It was also used to negotiate availability for conversations, maintain a sense of connection, and switch media during a conversation.