The explosion of wireless connectivity and a rapidly evolving ubiquitous computing infrastructure presages a world where one is continuously available, intensifying the need for practical methods to negotiate access and avoid unwanted interruptions. Without effective mechanisms for access negotiation, ubiquitous computing applications might become nothing more than additional sources of unwanted interruptions, rather than practical links between virtual spaces, physical spaces, and social institutions.

We (Hollan and Stornetta, 2000) are exploring a negotiated-access mechanism to mitigate problems of arranging access to people and coordinating information sharing. It supports asynchronous interaction and provides flexible boundaries between less urgent and more urgent access. In addition, it allows control over timing of access and permits tailoring of access level for specific individuals or groups. The goal is to provide a simple process that minimizes negotiation time while remaining sensitive to evolving activity contexts.