IM online status indicators

[DivaInDaSkies]

I want to use online status indicators for my various instant messenger programs. I know I can go to onlinestatus.org and get html code to do that. But I'd like to be able to host indicators just for myself - not be a public server.

I can download the software or script or whatever from onlinestatus.org, but I don't know if I could run it here on my web host [Jaguar]. Or how I would set it up if it's allowed here.

Or would/could/should I run it on my own computer? Again, if so, how?

LOL You can tell I'm a newbie by all my confusing questions. LOL

I suppose the first thing I should find out is whether or not I could run such a program on my Jaguar host. I have a GigaDeal and am on the Orion server.

Thanks in advance or any suggestions, directions or comments.

[jason]

Since it looks like it is a program that has to always run on the computer then I doubt that you'll be able to install it in your JPC account. It loks like it is designed more as a program to run in the background on your home computer than something you'd stick on a hosted server, but that is just with a cursory look at the site.

If you want to run it from your home computer, you'll need an "always on" Internet connection and some way to access the machine (by name or IP address). Since your ISP probably doesn't assign you with a static IP, if you choose to go this route, you'll probably have sign up with a service like ww.dyndns.org to map your name to your changing address.

I don't know what IM programs you use, but look around. Sometimes the services themselves offer status indicators (see ICQ, Yahoo), or some way to create your, as this page on AIM shows. None of these require you to run any special software, you just need to link to images on your web site and the messenger services' servers will do the work for you.

--Jason

[DivaInDaSkies]

Thanks for the clear explanation and suggestion, Jason. I think the easiest thing for me to do is to go with a status indicator service.