You've Got... Away Messages

Call it procrastination on steroids. AOL this week unveiled a new way to waste time on the Web that builds upon the obsession to view AIM profiles and away messages. The beta service, called AIM Buddy Info, allows users to leave comments on each other's away messages and IM profiles.

Comments can be viewed on the Buddy Info Web page, or by people on the user's buddy list through the AIM profile. According to an upcoming IM trends survey, more than half of all teens change their away message once a day, and a fifth change it every time they step away from the computer. AOL did not specify when it plans to take the service live.