Project outline - The use of instant messaging for work purposes

With a big and fast rising number of users, instant messaging seems to take over some of the roles of for example e-mail, phonecalls and SMS. The intent for this project is to map how a group of users use instant messaging for school or work purposes, and not just for "fun".

System
The by far most popular instant messaging system in Norway is Microsoft's MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger, with over 800.000 registered norwegian users per date - a 116% increase from last year. With this program, users can enter their friend's e-mail addresses, and they will be added to the list of contacts. The list indicates who is online, and users can send text messages, files, audio, video and even share their desktop. This study will focus on users of this system only.

Group
I could probably get data from MSN Norway, but there's a chance that the data is irrelevant for this study. I want to focus only on how people use the program for work/school purposes. I want to narrow down the group of people, so I can have everyone fill out a form with questions about their use of the program. I have chosen a group wich I am very well known with - brass bands. I know many people in the local bands, and many of them use MSN, and will probably participate. The bands in Møre & Romsdal that I plan to include account for between 150 and 200 musicians.

The form
It will be in the form of a web page. The users who want to participate get a password from me, enter and fill out, and the results will be stored in a database. The questions will be about what they use the program for and which functions (text, file transfer, meetings, audio, video) they use. Also, I will try to establish a sample network illustration.

Pål Elnan, September 21. 2004