The complex interface devices and services that will probably characterize the NII make realization of this friendly interface somewhat difficult. Nomadicity adds further complexity with its requirements for specialized devices and more complex connections. The communications environment must be partitioned so that the user can filter and manage incoming communications. Another way might be to create a richer connection dialog, one which takes the environments of the communicating parties more fully into account. In this section, we examine some concepts that will help in understanding and responding to the requirements posed by nomadicity.
Every environment has several alternative contexts.
These contexts are based on people's various perceptions and expectations of that environment. But a police officer's dominant context, or primary focus, for a mall might be as a crime scene. For a teenage couple, the dominant context might be as a place for a romantic rendezvous. People are aware of alternative contexts, but generally focus on the context most significant to them. However, one context might override another.