After doing some research, (aka spending hours online not doing anything very productive) I have decoded the complex meaning of what MSN statuses really mean..
Online
I'm in a friendly mood now.
It means the person will probably chat with anybody, including people they don't like. However, when such people approach the subject, he/she will suddenly become "busy" or "away", or will "be right back". In extreme cases, the subject will "appear offline", and then continue chatting with those they want to chat with. This status has no filtering effect, so prepare to be chatted up by random idiots.
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 those random idiots. Alternatively, one could genuinely be busy. But if you really are busy, you wouldn't even be on MSN. So are you really busy? Hmmm..
Be Right Back
I need to do something and I will be back soon.
However, soon ranges from a few seconds to infinity, with infinity probably meaning "see you in school tomorrow!". Personally I find this one of the most irritating status, because the people with this status usually forgets 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. This is also a stronger filter than "busy". Because unlike "busy", one can actually claim that he/she wasn't at the computer when some swaku tries to chat him/her 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"..
Out to lunch
More or less a redundant status.
If you were really out to lunch, you could simply use "away", "appear offline" or just sign out. People only display this when they want to be away and yet different from others. Note: It looks like away but its"out to lunch". Now that's something extra indeed..
Appear offline
The best status in the world, and my personal favorite because it is so useful. This is used by people who checks who is online before deciding what status to give themselves when they come online. Secondly, it is used as a filter of all system. People can't talk to you, but you can talk to people. It totally eliminates any chances of stalkers, weirdos, and other random idiots talking to you.
By the way, I'm always OFFLINE on MSN more so because I'm probably only online for a couple of minutes at each time anyway.. so I figured its really pointless appearing online, start talking to friends then having to say "I've gotta go" after a few lines exchanged..
Decoding MSN statuses is an art.
Do it well and you'll always have (no) friends to talk to online!
Anyway here's something amusing I found on the Internet today:
DoTA Prayer: (Pray after every game)
Dear GODLIKE,
Thank you for OWNING me another day
May all the WICKED sick be healed by your DOMINATING touch
May your PERSEVERENCE be present
MORNING TAVERN until DAWN TAVERN
May you increase our CRITICAL to LUCIFER
and damage his armor with your DIVINE RAPIER
We are sorry if we BACKSTAB you
Send your GUARDIAN ANGEL to save us
May you continue to bring us UNSTOPPABLE blessings
and fill our hearts with TARRASQUE
Look beyond it as blasphemous; but through a light hearted perspective instead.
KUDOS.
