Use an aim: Link to Set Your Status Message
Back in February, I covered some of the aim: links that can be used to add a buddy to your buddy list, start an IM, and start a chat. Today I will cover a new URL that works in the latest AIM 6.5 Beta that you can use to set your status message. First, some background.
A “status message” is a new feature introduced in the last couple of AIM Beta clients. They are plain-text messages of up to 251 characters in length (this can change) that are displayed under your name in everyone’s buddy list. Unlike away messages, these messages persist while you are offline. You can change or clear your status message at any time while you are online by editing it in the status bar at the top of the buddy list as shown here:
This new URL gives you an easy way to set your status to something you do often, like: At the gym, Call my cell, or Watching a movie. You can even clear your status message with this: Clear My Status.
While these messages sound like away messages, they really don’t have to be. It can describe anything from what you are doing now to how you feel. Remember these can be seen while you are offline. Messages like Go Skins!!! also work.
The aim:setstatus? URL supports two optional parameters: the target buddy list’s screen name, TargetBuddyList=, and the message, message=. The target screen name lets you create links that will only change the status for the specified screen name. If you omit this, the status message will be applied to the primary screen name; Linked accounts will be left unchanged. Your status message will be cleared if you omit the message parameter.
You can use the Set Status URL Generator tool to help you create these kinds of links. The tool takes care of all the encoding issues for you. Just follow the instructions on the page and then paste the HTML or URL in a web page, e-mail, IM, or desktop shortcut.
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:49 pm
I really like this code but what is the code to automatically set you away?