thank ya. mmmmm it depends on what os you have; i'm running mac on my screenshot, so i'm using the messenger client Adium. the contact list style is a pre-made one i edited on my own- and if you have adium, i can show you my settings for it. now if you're running windows, you might be able to do something similar but you'll have to switch to Miranda IM, and there's no skin for it so i'd have to toy with my w7 miranda and see if i can get the same results- if things work out on my w7, i'll show you how i tweaked it to get it that way. :o3