When communicating with each other, often a request of the type of communication is only possible to share via Profile...such as please send notecard, or please contact (other account) and so on. Auto response if ONLINE make it possible to share that desire, but when offline it is not clear.
The top of our IM box should have a designated section where we can input those desires so that when any IM is opened, whether online or offline that information is there for all to see.
Thus making sure that everyone is very clear on how the receiver wishes to be communicated with.
It could also include links to FAQ info, websites, the url of another account and so on.
thank you :)