Following you will find a list of the status modes and what they mean:

Available/Connect - Ready to gas bag ;-) It also allows you to connect to ICQ if you have the prog running but have not yet connected to the network :-)

Away - Lets people know that you're away from you're desk. You will still recieve alerts/messages. When someone sends you a message they are automatically sent your current Away Message which can be customised to suit the moment..

select from the list shown...

Away - user is currently away

Lunch - I'm out to lunch I will return shortly

Be Right Back - Don't go anywhere! I'll be back in a jiffy!

Dog Walk - I'm out with the dog. Be back when he's finished.


Smoke - Went out for a smoke.

Coffee - On my Coffee break.

Air - Went to get some fresh air.

Edit- (Enter your away message here)
This can be used to generate a quick message (or edit any of the above).. usually a one off message to suit that particular moment. This is great if you wish to add a custom message that you intend to use quite a bit.


To set these up...
Select Edit Message
From the drop down menu beneath ICQ Outgoing Message (ICQ Status Message)
Select the Message to the Following Status, choose from Away, NA, Occupied, DND.. in this case it's Away.
Select Rename Message Name, put in a relevant title
Under Message, enter the new text you want to appear
Hit Save

N/A (Extended Away) - Lets people know that you're away from your computer for quite a while. You will still recieve alerts/messages. As with Away the messages you can select from predefined messages...

Out for the day - I'm outta everything but most of all outta here ;-)

Not Here - give it up! I'm not in!

Closed - I'm closed for the weekend/holidays.

Fishing - Gone fishin'.

Sleeping - I'm sleeping. Don't wake me.

Kids - Went home. Had to feed the kids.

Gone - Gone for good.

or create your own...

Edit Messages-
follow the steps shown in customising your "Away Message" but select NA from the drop down menu beneath Select the Message to the Following Status.

Occupied (Urgent Msgs) - Lets people know you're busy. You will still recieve alerts/messages as they blink in you system tray and on you're contacts list. Again, you can select from predefined messages...



Busy - Please do not disturb me now. Disturb me later. Only urgent messages please!

Meeting - I am currently in a meeting. I can't be disturbed. Only urgent messages please!

Concentration - Don't disturb my concentration! Only urgent messages please!

On the Phone - I'm on the phone with a very important client. Don't disturb me!
Only urgent messages please!

Can't Chat - I can't chat with you now. I'm busy. Only urgent messages please!

Working - Can't you see I'm working?
Only urgent messages please!

Conversing - I am conversing with my colleagues. Only Urgent messages Please!

Edit Message - follow the steps shown in customising your "Away Message" but select Occupied from the drop down menu beneath Select the Message to the Following Status.

Do Not Disturb - You're online but don't want to be bugged by messagest etc. If someone does send you a message all you will see is an icon in your system tray and contact list. The Sender well get a message stating that you're status is set to DND...


Busy - Please do not disturb me now. Disturb me later. Only urgent messages please!

Meeting - I am currently in a meeting. I can't be disturbed.

Concentration - Don't disturb my concentration!

On the Phone - I'm on the phone with a very important client. Don't disturb me!

Can't Chat - I can't chat with you now. I'm busy.

Working - Can't you see I'm working?

Edit Message - follow the steps shown in customising your "Away Message" but select DND from the drop down menu beneath Select the Message to the Following Status.

Free For Chat - You're looking for a chat session.. set the sujbect, add users etc, status messages as follows....

Select Available to Chat with a Friend if you wish to allow other ICQ users looking for a random chat to be able to find you.

see ICQ Pro Tour - Chat with a Friend Guide for futher details

Privacy (Invisible) - You will show as "offline" to all but those on your visible list or those who you send a message to. You can still recieve messages and alerts as if you were "online" so takecare if you're trying to "hide" from a particular user on your friends list.

Offline/Disconnect - As in suggests.. this status is used to show you're offline of you can use it to disconnect from ICQ.