Abstract: A computer-implemented method of instant messaging can include determining location information for at least one user of an instant messaging system, determining when the user is no longer proximate to a home instant messaging client, and determining when the user is proximate to a guest instant messaging client. The computer-implemented method also can include dynamically updating a status of the user within an instant messaging system according to the proximity of the user to at least one of the home instant messaging client or the guest instant messaging client.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for hardware assists for building a user's buddy list through public group membership. Exemplary embodiments include identifying a member from the user's buddy list, identifying a skill possessed by the member of the user's buddy list, searching for a group having the skill, selecting the member from the user's buddy list, sending a request to an instant messaging server to obtain a list having all the public groups for the member, receiving a response from the instant messaging server, the response including the list having the public groups for the member, selecting from the list of public group including members that have the skill and performing at least one of adding the public group to a contact list and searching for additional public groups based on users included in the list of public groups of the member.