It's called an "away message"

Yesterday I got this message:
SouthPOLEZ: Duuuuud
SouthPOLEZ: Duuuudie XD
SouthPOLEZ: Dude
SouthPOLEZ: How are you online yet not online?

SouthPOLEZ, it's called an 'away message.'

An away message is a message you put up to let everyone know you're not at the computer. While simply signing off does the same thing, an away message lets people know you're not there while still providing you the illusion of participation.

If you're in class or doing laundry, all of your friends will know this critical information, as will that guy you haven't talked to since middle school and some people who don't even know why you're on their buddy lists.

Did that answer your question, SouthPOLEZ?

(work.)

If you're not on AIM, you may learn something. If you are on AIM, this probably bored you, which is fine, because reading about how much you're at class all the time is pretty boring, too.

Man, away messages are dumb. And so are blogs about them.

I'm sad now :(