Thursday, 22nd of November, 2007

06:47: A simple guide to status modes in IM clients

In some ways, this is a reiteration of what Anam posted a while ago on the same subject. I decided to write it anyway, though, partially out of frustration and partially because it seems that the use of status modes isn't as apparent as I'd thought it was.

Every time I set myself as N/A or DND in my internet messaging client, these days, people seem to decide that they absolutely need to talk to me at that particular moment. Somehow, every month, it gets a little worse, and I'm getting rather tired of ignoring and instructing people, so here's a quick list of status modes as used in ICQ. (ICQ is the original and most comprehensible IM system in that aspect - don't whine about this not being tailored to MSN. MSN copied the ICQ layout and then changed the features around.)

Online

What it means:
Present. Here. Available. Likely to answer if approached.

What to use it for:
Online status is used to signal that you are at the computer and willing to talk.

How to interpret it:
Usually, people will use online as above. Some people seem to find it pertinent to leave their client in Online mode whenever their IM client is running, thus completely voiding the use of status modes. They're easy to spot, however, and it only takes a couple of braincells to figure out that they probably won't always answer.

Offline

What it means:
Computer off. Not online at all. No chance of answer, whatsoever.

What to use it for:
When your IM client is off.

How to interpret it:
The user is offline or has put you on their invisible-to list. Either way, they're not going to respond immediately, but you can send a message that they will eventually receive.

Occupied

What it means:
User is nearby or at the computer, but busy with something and probably not interested in idle chatter unless they're already speaking to you.

What to use it for:
See above.

How to interpret it:
Try to keep from sending idle chatter. Don't expect the user to answer right away.

DND (Do Not Disturb)

What it means:
Do Not Disturb. Bugger off. Come back later. User is at the computer or nearby, but does not desire to be disturbed.

What to use it for:
When you need people to back off so that you can focus on what you're doing, or when you need some peace. Don't use it as a sort-of-away. Use Occupied if you're busy but might be willing to talk. DND is only useful if it really means Do Not Disturb.

How to interpret it:
Don't send messages unless it's important. Show respect to your acquaintance and leave them the fuck alone.

Away

What it means:
Temporarily not here. Gone away to do something, but likely to return within reasonable time.

What to use it for:
When you've left the computer but intend to return fairly soon.

How to interpret it:
The user isn't here, but they will be in a bit. Leave a message if you've got something to say, kind of like when you get the voice-mail on a mobile phone.

N/A (Not Available, also Extended Away)

What it means:
Not available. Not here. Will not answer and will probably be gone for a while.

What to use it for:
When you're not around, but your IM client is on.

How to interpret it:
The user isn't here, and won't be back for a while. This is like the voice-mail function on a home phone number.


I have a lot of people on my contact list. I can't keep explaining the basics of IM courtesy and practice to everyone. Please do not send me messages querying me if I'm around. If I am interested in talking, my status message will denote it. If you want to relay a message, do so. Just send send the bloody message. I will look at it when I have the time and energy. It's not complicated.

Being shown some basic respect in communication and privacy is important to everyone - to someone with anxiety and mood problems such as mine, even more so, since my DND message may well mean that I'm dealing with an anxiety attack and will react vehemently to being rubbed the wrong way. You may think that I'm being a bastard, but the fact is that I've done the equivalent of putting a comprehensive Do Not Disturb sign on my door and you knocked it anyway.

To clarify, I'm not complaining about getting messages when I'm in N/A mode or such (even though I would prefer not getting boingboing links and the likes when I'm in DND.) I'm pointing out that there is a reason for these modes and that it would be nice if more people took them into account. I know I'm not alone in this. Besides Anam, I have a couple of other friends who have taken to shutting down their clients entirely whenever they're not explicitly interested in talking. To get some basic privacy and peace when they're at the computer, they've had to cut off that line of communication entirely. It's ridiculous, but completely understandable.

Noone is perfect. We all have those energised highs when we find a link that everyone just has to see, and realise a little too late that maybe everyone was not in the mood for it. This isn't about making mistakes. It's about showing basic courtesy on a general level. It's about trying not to be an arse all the time.