Comment 0 for bug 692178

Binary package hint: empathy

This is an ergonomic problem.

It is not possible to change the status from "offline" to "available" directly from the notification area menu.
You have to select "Instant messaging" first in the "messages" menu ("envelope" icon ) : By the way, this is already counter intuitive, as everything about instant messaging should be in the instant messaging menu (speach bubble icon).. right ?.

So this shows empathy itself, then you can set the status to available from there.

In all other cases, You don't need to show empathy itself.
You can just change your status from the quick menu.

I think this should become consistent.