Just thinking some sort of a shout box/window so you can say: I'm out for now!
Or "SoandSo" look at the Thread "blah blah", I need your help please.

Just a thought.

Cheers.

Could you please post a link to a shoutbox somewhere (anywhere) that actually adds to a site and is useful? For some reason, the easier it is to write something (and get away with it), the stupider the writing.

"I'm out for now!" - anyone can see whether you are online or not.
"I need your help" - send a private message

Fair enough. It was just a thought, but yeah it prob would get abused anyway, although it would be easier and faster then a pm.