I just got started with AIM, and have only three people listed as ‘buddies’, so I’m still not that familiar with how the thing works.
When I went on the computer yesterday, one of my buddies was listed as being 'on’line at the same time, but they also had what looked like miniature post-it notes next to their name. I tried to click on them, but it didn’t do anything.
I checked all my e mail, and then pulled the buddy list back up, and the post-it notes were now gone. Anyone have any idea of what this is?? I guess I could’ve asked the buddy, but I’m still rather reserved about what feels like ‘butting in’ just because that person is online, doesn’t necessarily mean they want to talk to me…except to my son, HIM, I’ll butt in on! 
Thanks for your help.
The post-it note looking thing means your buddy is “away.” If you right click on that buddy’s name, and select “get member info,” you’ll see whatever away message they’ve chosen to put up. You’d see the same message as their reply if you sent a message while they were away.
Hope that helps!
If your son is logged in but “away” (and as such has a post-it next to his name in your Buddy List, his copy of AIM will work like an answering machine.
Go ahead and send him an IM. You will get his autoresponse back, but the window will open on his computer, too. So, you can type something like, “I just wanted to see if you want to go out to lunch. I will be leaving at 12:30.” That way, if he gets back to his PC before 12:30, he will see that message and you will still be able to pay for his lunch!
Wow!! Somehow, I hope DJ doesn’t know all of this yet!! Thanks for the help, ** Rosebud and sdimbert ** this is actually a cooler service than what it first appears!
Anti the first time I tried to use AIM it was a mess. It was more my computer than anything. I had to reload it and it works fine now. Feel free to add me to your buddy list, I’m ultress13.
Yeah, Anti Pro, me too. You have a question, just holler; I’m online all day long.