This page was outdated like mad, I'll get to it.
Personally I prefer it when random people email me first, then start IM'ing me. I read email sent to blackmage@shaw.ca I used to read my hotmail mail, but it gets like 36 junk mails in like a day... shaw is nice enough to block spammers...
If you can't do that (Which I don't see as possible) then go ahead and message me on MSN or AIM or whatever, just dont expect a response within 5 seconds because I'm not set away, thats the #1 thing people do to annoy me. Well, I guess that doesn't happen all the time, but heres an Example:
13:37:01 Random User: HELLOO????
13:37:15 Random User: y r u online?
13:37:28 Random User: r u skippn skool?
13:37:41 Random User: HELLOO????
13:37:59 Random User: fine b a bitch n ignore me
Yes of course that'd be avoided by setting away, but if I have to run off to school, in a "like now" fashion, would I *really* be able to dig out Trillian and press the away button? Nope :-)