A question about instant messager

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2006
A question about instant messager
8
Fri, 01-26-2007 - 11:24pm

I mean MESSENGER.

Can anyone tell me if there is a way to keep one "buddy" on AOL IM from seeing that one is online without being invisible to other buddies?

As some of you know, Sean-the-lunch-guy likes to IM me. I don't mind when there are other types of connection happening, but it is a poor substitute for phoning or meeting. I've been keeping IM off a lot, but this is affecting my contacts with other friends who like to IM.

I know I can block him, but that would be a hostile thing to do. I would do it if he were being a nuisance, but I know I could just tell him not to IM me again and he wouldn't. So blocking seems like overkill.

I just want to be able to get on AIM w/out having him pop up to make conversation and meet his needs for contact in that way.

Any ideas?




Edited 1/27/2007 12:54 am ET by elarisa
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-17-2006
Sat, 01-27-2007 - 9:41am

I'm not sure about AIM... I think there is an invisible option on MSN and Yahoo... not that that helps you much! I'm sorry things didn't go as you had expected.

I must say though, that I have learned from you OLD AIM experience - a guy asked if we could chat over messenger in an email on match last night, and I said no! :P

Let us know if you figure it out - sorry I'm not more helpful about it! :(

Pink

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2001
Sat, 01-27-2007 - 11:34am
You can just block the guy and be online to others. the guy will see you offline. Then, you can unblock him if/when you want to talk to him. It's not a hostile thing to do. Sometimes it's necessary!
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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2006
Sat, 01-27-2007 - 1:23pm

I could ask my kids (they know everything about AIM) but they would want to know who I was trying to avoid. I'd rather not let them into the details of my (failed) social life.

It's frustrating, but not surprising. From the first I thought this guy might end up as no more than a friend. What bothers me is that because of the IM "friendship" he keeps popping in and out of my screen when I'm on IM. I have no problem IMing someone I know, but I think that there are people who use it as a substitute for really going to the trouble of connecting with another person.

You are wise not to accept IM before you have established a friendship. I will not do it again either.

Elsa

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2006
Sat, 01-27-2007 - 1:26pm

I thought "blocking" meant he could see you but couldn't send to you (that when someone was blocked, he got a "this person is not receiving msgs from you" msg of some sort (which would be rude, since he's really done nothing wrong except partly blow me off).

SO I can block and he just won't see me?

Elsa

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2001
Sat, 01-27-2007 - 6:04pm
He will see you as offline. That's all. You can unblock him whenever you want. He wont get a message except "xxxx if offline/unavailable".....
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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2006
Sat, 01-27-2007 - 8:21pm
That's great. Thanks.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-19-2005
Mon, 01-29-2007 - 3:34am

Can someone tell me how to block someone through Instant messanger? I have looked at the menus and can't seem to find a block prompt.

Thanks

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-17-2002
Mon, 01-29-2007 - 10:53am
It depends on your messenger. In MSN, all you have to do is right click on the person you want to block and select Block. Similarly on Yahoo, you can right click the contact and select Stealth Settings and select "Appear Permanently Offline to XXX" - that is really your best option on Yahoo because you can still see that contact in your list and you can go back and appear online to them when you want them to see you. Very cool.

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