logging on in invisible mode in Messenger?

[Lenny]

Hi,

Sorry if this message posts twice, but I doesn't appear and I'm afraid it
got lost ...

In most Messengers, you can log on in invisible mode and appear offline
until you decide you want your contacts to see you online. MSN Messenger
doesn't seem to have this possibility. Is there some kind of add-on that
allows you to do this anyway?

Lenny

 

[Jose Francisco]

Hello Lenny,

Yes, MSN Messenger has this feature. As soon as you sign in into MSN
Messenger, quickly change your status to offiline. That why you contacts
would see you as offiline.

Good Luck!

Regards,
Jose Francisco

 

[Lenny]

Hi,

This is not what I mean ... I don't want people to know at all I'm online
.... So going online and then quickly changing your status is not good
enough.

Lenny

 

[Lenny]

Hi,

Well, there are lots of reasons why you don't want to be seen. Maybe you're
not in the mood to talk to just anyone on your list, maybe you're busy and
want to see who's online before you decide ...

Thanks for your answer anyway ...

Lenny

 

[Guest]

That is why I said you were right Lenny.

This is my problem with Win/MSN messenger too.

But MS thinks we are both wrong to have this need.

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Lenny,

Currently no Microsoft Messenger client has this functionality. There are some "patches"
around that do allow you to do this, but they can severely mess up your contact list and are
*not* recommended.

This feature is on the suggestion list, and the protocol does allow it, so hopefully we'll
see it in the future.

As a workaround, if you don't have many contacts, you can just block all your contacts before
you sign off, so when you sign in, no one will see you until you unblock them.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[Lenny]

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for your suggestion ... That is what I've been doing so far ... but
it seems so far-fetched. You're also right, I don't like installing dodgy
add-ons just like that ... I'm still recovering from the mess Hotbar created
on my PC!

Lenny

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi Lenny,

I know it's incredibly inconvenient and with large contact lists, nearly impossible -- but it
does work as a workaround.

Regardless, I do hope we'll see this feature in the future -- it's been one of the top
requested ones for awhile.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com