Shoutbox

Hmm..
I've read a fair chunk of this thread, but if I end up repeating what has already been said, I appologize in advance.

CookieRevised is correct in saying that it isnt reliable.
However, if you know how to use it, it can be very useful.

To see if someone really opened your window, simply click the popup toast, and see if it says "xxx is typing a message", if this is shown then well they obviously did open your window. If "xxx is typing a message" isnt shown, then it is unlikely they opened your window - unless they opened it and didnt plan to say anything.

As for the closed window part, (the most important part in my opinion), that too can also be useful if you know how to use it. You need to remember that the protocol will send a 'BYE' message after convos have been inactive for 60 seconds. But if you get a 'BYE' before 60 seconds, then you know they closed the window. This is useful if you suspect someone of ignoring you, and you get a 'BYE' instantly after anything you say.

So yes, although this addon was unreliable. It was still very useful, as members in this thread have said.
This addon is only thing stopping me from upgrading to WML/MP!L - I've even started looking at scripting one myself, but then learnt you had to directly communicate with the protocol, which cannot be done with scripts..

I've not looked at the Messenger Discovery implementation of this feature, but from what I've read, it opens a window just to tell you someone closed your window? (aka, the protocol opened a connection to get a DP or something, and then it was killed a minute later, and you get a message about it. kinda sucks)

Its pretty bad that people who understand how to use these features are missing out on them due to noobs complaining about their unreliability.