[andsoitis]

> send an IM asking if someone if they were available before interrupting them with your physical presence

Unless someone ignores IM (not even seeing notifications), sending a message is also interrupting…

[JohnFen]

I disable all notifications and just check IMs and emails every time I reach a place where that's not harmful to my work.

[garrickvanburen]

If they don’t respond…they’re not available.

[hedora]

You can disable slack notifications. It’s great, as long as you remember to periodically check it.