Instant Message Etiquette

[Gaystoryman]

I got me a question for all you addicted Instant Message gurus.

I notice on ICQ all the little options, like away, do not disturb, occupied, and I know that ICQ will set your status to 'away' after x minutes, depending on your settings, so the question is, when do you knock on the door, and when do you stay away?

Example, I know one I talk to on ICQ who always has it set to 'occupied' but they always want to natter. Another has the simple 'green online' but are busy, so I back off.

Long winded question, but as an IM user, do you use the little changes, and does it piss you off when people knock when you are listed as being 'busy' or not? :rolleyes:

Or does it simply not matter?

[barnkin]

It really does not matter to me, I appear off line most of the time, however if someone pages me I will answer

[basschick]

the way i see it, someone is free to ignore me but if they're not there, at least they'll get the message when they're back.

[NeteQuette]

If I remember to put it on I usually show offline, if somebody wants a chat I always answer if im at the desk if not as basschick says I get the message when I get back.