Have you ever wondered why some people are permanently away, or busy, or never online on MSN? Have you also realised that sometimes, the status on one's MSN is no longer indicative of whether the person will chat with you? After doing some research, (aka spending hours on MSN and not doing my work) I have decoded the complex meanings of what MSN statuses really mean.
Online - I'm in a friendly mood now. I will probably chat with anybody, including people I don't like. However, when such people approach me, I will suddenly become "busy" or "away", or I will "be right back". Or worse, I will "appear offline". And then I will continue chatting with those I want to chat with. Has no filtering effect, so prepare to be chatted up by randoms.
Busy - I am currently busy with an assignment, work or project meeting of some kind. However, only people who know me well enough will know that even if I'm busy I will still chat with you. Hence this keeps out randoms. Alternatively, I could be really busy. But if I were really busy, I wouldn't be on MSN. So am I really busy? Go figure! Has a mild filtering effect.
Be right back - I need to do something and I will be back soon. However, soon ranges from anything from a few seconds to infinity, with infinity probably meaning "see you in school tomorrow!" Personally I find this one of the most irritating statuses, because the people who put this status usually forget to indicate that they are back. So it becomes "I'll be right back but you won't know when that is so bye!"
Away - I am currently not at my computer. Used most by serial downloaders who are online 24/7. Alternatively, this is a stronger filter than "busy". Because unlike "busy", you can actually claim you weren't at the computer when some swaku tries to chat you up. For busy you may not be able to, because you were there but merely busy. You actually have to put some "filler" text like "sorry I'm busy now can't talk". A proven effective filter.
In a phone call - It was supposed to be "away" but I misclicked. Alternatively, I am really in a phone call and I just had to let you know, so I couldn't have used "away" or "busy" instead. Used by people who like to talk on the phone, or like to appear like they talk on the phone a lot. Maybe they are trying to tell you that they are good communicators. Otherwise I don't see why this status even exists.
Out to lunch - More or less a redundant status. If I were really out to lunch, I could use "away", "appear offline" or just sign out. I put this when I want to be away and yet different from other people. Note - It looks like away but its "out to lunch". Chao extra. Cool right?
Appear offline - The best status in the world, because it is so useful.
This is used by people to check who is online before they decide what status to give themselves when they come online. Secondly, it is used as a filter all system. People can't talk to you, but you can talk to people. It totally eliminates any chances of stalkers, weirdos, and other randoms talking to you.
Decoding MSN statuses is an art. Do it well and you'll always have friends to talk to online!