17. A system including: a server for hosting an instant messaging conversation between a first user and a second user; a chat window for receiving an indicator and a text entry from the first user during the instant messaging conversation, the indicator prompting a change in status of the first user; a processor for automatically setting the text entry as the status of the first user and automatically including a name of the second user in the status of the first user if preferences of the first user indicate that the name of the second user is to be included in the status of the first user; and a communications module for automatically sending the text entry to the second user if the preferences of the first user indicate that a text entry following the indicator is to be automatically sent to the second user.
17. A system including: a server for hosting an instant messaging conversation between a first user and a second user; a chat window for receiving an indicator and a text entry from the first user during the instant messaging conversation, the indicator prompting a change in status of the first user; a processor for automatically setting the text entry as the status of the first user and automatically including a name of the second user in the status of the first user if preferences of the first user indicate that the name of the second user is to be included in the status of the first user; and a communications module for automatically sending the text entry to the second user if the preferences of the first user indicate that a text entry following the indicator is to be automatically sent to the second user. 20. The system according to claim 17 , wherein said processor automatically sets the text entry as a status of the second user, and automatically includes a name of the first user in the status of the second user if preferences of the second user indicate that the name of the first user is to be included in the status of the second user.