Does anyone know of a way to make Plus! or Messenger 6.2 set you status to appear offline by default, i.e. when you first sign in, i have looked through the options with a fine tooth comb but cannot find any such setting.

U can use Jrnzloader to do that....instead of starting up with ur regular MS icon u start up with the MSNloader one....(copy to desktop and/or if u like to startupfolder)

Get it here: Jrnz Loader

for signing in as "appear offline" refer to:
CookieRevised's reply to how to sign in on appear offline?

Thanks for your help the JRNZ loader is brill, just what i wanted, thanks again.