Instant messenger is popular with many computer-savvy people. Any instant messenger like Yahoo, Google or Hotmail enables the instant exchange of messages. Instant messaging works only when both parties are online. All messengers have a list of contacts. There are icons against names which also appear along with conversations. The names and icons are dim when a contact is offline, and the ones glowing indicate they are online. Sometimes people keep their messenger on even if they are too busy to chat at that moment. Away icons and messages can be used to let other contacts know that you are busy and cannot chat. Contacts can leave messages if they wish the person to see messages later.

Away messages are a good way to inform others of your unavailability, and avoid disturbances. There are default messages like stepped out, busy, away from desk and so on. Specific ones can also be created if you wish to let your friends know what you are exactly up to, like I am out to lunch, I am busy giving a presentation and so forth. New and personal messages created can also be saved for future use. If you are away from the computer and do not want messages to show on screen, there are options to hide incoming messages. For detailed information on how to use away messages, messenger guides can be viewed.

Interesting away icons and messages are also available for free download on many websites. They are available from an exhaustive list of categories like away, annoying, babysitting, bathroom, Christmas, drinking, tests, eating, friendship, funny, playing, inspirational, insults, religious, romance, winter, working out, and so forth.

Using away icons is a courteous way to let others know of your availability, and it is even great when people use decent funny messages.