Messenger Contact Status Slow To Update?

[(PeteCresswell)]

I've only got a half-dozen contacts - and three of them are PCs
that are right next to me, so I can see what the actual statuses
are.

What I'm getting in the Windows Messenger window doesn't bear
much resemblance to what's actually happening.

I'd guess that some of it is my default settings for each Windows
box: they should probably log into Messenger no matter what as
soon as the PC boots or wakes up from Sleep mode.

But some times I see a contact coming and going for no apparent
reason. Other times I see the contact name for the PC right next
to me come up as "So-and-so logged in" a couple times within five
minutes.... when nothing was touched on that PC.

Is it just me?

 

[PA Bear]

WYSIWYG. You cannot control the sign-in status of any of your contacts,
Pete.

 

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per PA Bear:

WYSIWYG. You cannot control the sign-in status of any of your contacts,
Pete.

Any idea why they would change spontaneously?

 

[PA Bear]

Possible scenarios include:

1. Contact's machine keeps connecting/reconnecting to the internet for
whatever reason;

2. Contact is running Messenger on a cellphone or other portable device that
connects wirelessly and the device keeps going out of range of the
connection.

 

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per PA Bear:

1. Contact's machine keeps connecting/reconnecting to the internet for
whatever reason;

That one rings true.