Yeah, I'm rarely set to appear online any more. :P I just can't be assed. Not that a bunch of people message me when I do appear online, though. xP
Yeah, it's basically the same with me. Also, I don't really use MSN that much anymore.. I don't really know why, I just don't automatically open it up anymore when I turn on the computer.
I've made up a system, it's actually quite clever imo:
I put 'Online' if I'm online
I put 'Away' if I'm away
I put 'Busy' if I'm busy
I put 'Be right back' if I'll be right back
If I actually don't want to talk to anyone, I log off
Basically the only one who messages me when I'm actually AFK is PG. But he is forgiven.